Betty Ruth (Tidwell) Ward

Betty Ward, 85 of Whitney, departed this life on Sunday,October 31st to keep a date in heaven with the love of her life Bill.  He was there to hold her hand.

Betty was born December 23, 1935, in Overton, Texas, the daughter of Odell and Ona Mae (Gant) Tidwell.  She graduated from Whitney High School in 1954.  She married Bill Ward August 18, 1956, at First Baptist Church in Whitney. They were married 47 years at the time of his death. Bill and Betty were high school sweethearts.  Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.  She was beautiful inside and out, always so sweet and kind. Betty made everyone feel lovely, loved and special.  She loved the Lord with all her heart and was her family's prayer warrior.

Betty's children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren were her greatest achievement in life. Her proudest moment was the day she married Bill. Betty will be lovingly remembered for her faith, strength, determination, dedication, sense of fun and unconditional love for her family. There was never a time she was not there for her family as they were a constant source of joy.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Whitney, served as Church Clerk, Church Librarian, taught Sunday School and worked with the youth for many years. Betty was an avid reader, she enjoyed flower gardening, cooking, sewing, family history and time with her family. She loved Baylor University and the Texas Rangers and was a most devoted fan.

Betty served as the Whitney High School and Junior High librarian for 25 years.  She earned the Lamar Award of Excellence, the Area Educator of the Year Award , was honored with a Scholarship created in her name and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. In addition, she was Secretary of the Whitney Memorial Park Association, Director with Whitney Museum, was an Outstanding Young Woman of America honoree, Secretary of Whitney Ex-Students Association, in which Betty and Bill formed the Association and serving as an officer for years.

During her years as High School and Jr. High librarian she touched the lives of hundreds of children, who in turn blessed and enriched her life.  Mrs. Ward spent hours as listener, counselor, confidant and friend to her students, encouraging them to further their education and many with whom she stayed connected to throughout her life.

Betty was a fourth generation Texan. Her grandparents were Hill County pioneers who arrived by covered wagon and settled at Fort Graham and the Indian Post now near the city of Whitney.  She was always very proud of her deep roots in Hill County and she had a great love of Whitney. Betty's great-grandfather helped build the Hill County Courthouse.

It was Betty's hope that the light of Christ would shine through her.  She was blessed with a wonderful family and many friends throughout her lifetime. She felt at the end of our life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have, how much money we have, but did we make a difference in the life of a child.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, great- granddaughter Charlotte Campbell, her parents, her brothers Glen Tidwell, Jim Tidwell, Don Tidwell and dear family who went before her to heaven.

Survivors include children Melissa and Mike Cobb, Todd & Lisa Ward, grandchildren Blake Cobb, Katharine and Chris Campbell, Lauren Ward, Madeline & Dillon Stokes, great-grandchildren Eliza & Landon Campbell, Ethan & Aiden Cobb, Luke Stokes, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of dear family and friends.

Pallbearers:  Blake Cobb, Chris Campbell, Dillon Stokes, Monte Tidwelll, Lance Tidwell, Carlton Tidwell, Kirk Tidwell, Kyle Ward, Chad Ward, James Newsom.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Carthol Marsh, WL Sanders, Billy Tom Callaway, Larry Ward, Kerry Ward, Bill Winkleman

Services and Visitation:  Thursday, Nov. 4

Visitation:    1:00-2:00    Marshall & Marshall Chapel, Whitney

Service:        2:30          Whitney Memorial Park

The family encourages those attending to wear masks.

The family extends a special thank you to Country Club Retirement Center in Whitney and Legend Oaks of Ennis for their wonderful care and love.

Memorials may be made to Whitney Memorial Park Association PO Box 889 Whitney Texas 76692