Bettye Sue (Hammond) Peterson

Bettye Sue Hammond Peterson left this earth on February 3, 2021. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, February 7, 2021 at Prairie Valley Baptist Church, Pastor Rusty Penney and Rev. Eddie Booth will be officiating. Burial will be under the direction of Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors of Whitney at Prairie Valley Cemetery.

Bettye was born in Marks, Mississippi to Nelle and Frank Hammond on January 24, 1942. She attended schools there and graduated in 1960. Her dad wanted her to go to Mississippi State College for Women and she tried it. Then her sister wanted her to go to Baylor and she tried it, but she was not comfortable there either. She tried Delta State College in Cleveland, Mississippi.  It was a good match; she graduated from there in 1964 and found her true love Tom Peterson. They entered into marriage in January 1963 and her happiness doubled when Mary Elizabeth arrived in September of 1963. Bettye and Tom moved back to Marks after graduating from Delta State and they were blessed when Nella Catherine and Thomas Coleman joined their family. Tom was offered a job in Hillsboro, Texas and after teary goodbyes the family moved to Texas where Bettye spent the rest of her life. They moved to Whitney, Texas in 1970 where they found a place they could be happy and raise their family. After 37 years of adventures together, Tom died in 2000 from cancer.

.Did you think the E at the end of Bettye was superfluous? Mother knew that E was needed. It has served as a picture of Bettye. Eager, Ernest, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Exceptional and Emotional are used to describe Bettye. Interested in her children’s education, she jumped in and ran for the Whitney school board. To nobody’s surprise, she won and was the first woman elected to the board. Later when her children were grown and had left her nest, she decided she would learn to sell real estate. Learn she did and was successful at her endeavor. Not far from her house was a small Baptist Church – Prairie Valley. She joined and became an outstanding member of the church, serving on numerous committees, teaching Sunday school classes, lending a hand wherever needed. Bettye volunteered her time and faithfully served on the following boards: Housing Authority, Hill County Protective Services and the Hill County Water Board. In her spare time she tended the earth. She loved to plant seeds and bulbs. Many neighbors knew her as the lady who was always working in her yard. Neighbors also knew her as the “cat lady”. She wasn’t happy with one or two. At one time she had as many as 13 who followed her on her walks in the neighborhood. Her later life was centered on her children and grandchildren. When she could, she sat in the cold and watched soccer, softball, and football. She enjoyed the occasional indoor dance recitals, skating competitions, and basketball games. She lived a full life and had a heart for others.

Bettye Sue lived according to her daily prayer: "Father, thank You for the incredible joy and privilege of knowing You. Help me to seek after You today as You reveal Your will and Your ways to me. Give me understanding in what You desire for me, so I can glorify You and be a blessing to others today. Amen."

She leaves her two daughters and one son and eight grandchildren who were the light of her life. Mary Elizabeth Panfil, husband Jerry and their daughters, Paige, Kelsey, and Holly Beth. Nella Catherine McCain and her husband Keith and their three children Luke, Lila, and Eli. Son Thomas Coleman and his son Trace and daughter Lenzi.  She also leaves her sister, Mary Alice Eastland of Waco, Texas. She also leaves behind nieces Cindy Hammond, Susan Polansky and Sarah Eastland and nephews Frank Hammond and Daniel Eastland.

Memorials may be made to Prairie Valley Baptist Church Whitney, Texas 76692