Betty June Bartee left us Saturday, September 20, 2014 for her well deserved rewards. She was born in Brownwood, Texas on January 16, 1934. She attended Bangs High School. She moved to San Diego, California for a few years and then moved back to Brown County where she met the man with whom she would raise a family, James Tucker.
James spent 20 years in the U.S. Army and as a military wife and mother she followed James from state to state, and came home to Bangs when he traveled overseas. She returned to Bangs with her family in 1970 when James retired from the Army. She attended beauty school for a short time after returning to Bangs. She worked for Ben and Nona Carnes at Rippetoe’s Pharmacy. She also worked for Dr. J.B. Stephens in Bangs. In 1972 her family built a home and moved to Lake Brownwood. She was a Girl Scout leader when her daughters were in Girl Scouts. She worked at the Flagship Inn at Lake Brownwood. She later went to work for GTE in Brownwood. When GTE was bought out by Verizon and closed the office in Brownwood, she was transferred to San Angelo where she lived in an apartment (like a college kid, as we kidded her) and came home on the weekends. She retired from GTE in 1993. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother! She often sewed matching dresses for her daughters and then later for her granddaughters. She enjoyed family, friends, traveling, gambling, and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ancie Fred Day and Martha Evans (Nelson) Day, and her brothers Fred Day, Jr. and Albert Evans Day. She will be missed. Betty is survived by her husband Don Bartee, son William James Tucker, Jr. and spouse Terrie, daughters Lisa Jarvis and spouse Ben, and Sandra Carol Simmons and spouse Kelly. Betty’s grandchildren are Aaron Jarvis, Elizabeth Jarvis, William James Tucker III, Amber Nicole White, Melody Dawn Marks and Jesse Tucker Simmons. They love her and will miss her.
Betty married William James Tucker October 6, 1956 and together they raised their three children with love until his passing on February 23, 1976 following a battle with lung cancer. James is always in the hearts of his children.
On December 19, 1980 Betty married Don Bartee. Don and Betty were active in the local Elks Lodge. After she retired, she and Don enjoyed traveling in their motor home. They both enjoyed trips to Nevada and to Port Aransas where they spent the month of November (On the Beach) fishing, walking the beach, and enjoying time with friends. They resided at Lake Brownwood and enjoyed life.
Betty’s smile and love will be missed by all, but especially her family.
Please join her family to celebrate her life on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at Davis Morris funeral home at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to First Baptist Church in Bangs for a luncheon at noon on Thursday.
