January 20, 1930 ~ February 3, 2024 (age 94)
Betty Menefee passed away and the age of 94 on February 3rd, 2024. Betty was born on January 20, 1930, to Melvin and Blanche (Trimmier) McLarty near Hico (Hamilton County), Texas. She lived her childhood years in the Hico area and attended school there until moving with her family to Stephenville, Texas, in 1946. Following her graduation from Stephenville High School in 1947 Betty attended John Tarleton Agriculture College where she studied Business Administration.
On June 16, 1950, Betty married the love of her life, Gene Menefee, at the First Methodist Church in Stephenville TX in a unique triple wedding ceremony which included her sisters Jean Gaines and Dean Collins-Sullivan. Afterwards, Betty and Gene lived in Stephenville, Lubbock and Eastland for short stints before finally settling in Lubbock in 1954. They remained in Lubbock for the next 45 years. Betty was employed by the First National Bank of Lubbock for 30 years before her retirement in 1995. She was an active loyal member of Second Baptist Church in Lubbock for 34 years. Betty made many friends in her banking and church families and often spoke fondly of these relationships up until her passing.
Soon after Gene’s retirement Betty and Gene moved to Pecan Plantation near Granbury, TX, in 1999 to be closer to their children, grandchildren and siblings. They joined Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, where they remained active loyal members of the church community up until Gene’s passing in May, 2012. Betty and Gene had a very happy and blessed marriage for almost 62 years. Betty very much enjoyed family gatherings, frequent travel and cruises with her siblings and their spouses, and also had a great fondness for shopping, home decorating, and for working cross-word and jigsaw puzzles. Betty’s demonstrated love of family throughout her life is by far the greatest legacy she has left, for which we are all very grateful.
Betty is survived by her son Mark Menefee and wife Patti of Callender Lake, Texas; sisters Jean Gaines and Joy Taylor both of Stephenville; brother Sammy McLarty of Waco; son-in-law Sam Oatman of Llano; grandchildren Jeanette Whitus of Burnet, Theron Oatman (Lauren) of Llano, Ryan Menefee of Austin and Kelley Menefee of Fort Worth; 6 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband Gene Menefee, daughter Diane Menefee Oatman, brother Bobby McLarty, sister Dean Collins Sullivan, sisters-in-law Lorena Sparkman and Karan McLarty, and brothers-in-law George B. Sparkman, A.J. Gaines, T.B. (Tom) Collins, Sam Taylor, and Darrell Sullivan, niece Connie Collins Harvey, nephews Tommy Collins, Michael Collins and George L. Sparkman, great grandchild Carsyn Oatman, and great-nephew Austin Taylor.
Betty’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 7th, at 10:00 AM at the Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel with Alan Nix, officiating. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery, Stephenville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Stephenville Funeral Home.
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