Services for Betty Stewart

Services for Betty Stewart, 75, of Memphis, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Memphis with Rev. Daniel Downey, officiating and Dr. O.K. Bowen, assisting.  Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Memphis, TX.

Betty passed away Friday, July 23, 2010, in Amarillo.

Betty was born March 17, 1935 in Hall County, TX to the late Mr. Robert Stewart and Mrs. Zettie (Weatherford) Stewart.  She was a 1953 graduate of Memphis High School.  While she was in high school she attended the Baptist General Convention in Waco, TX where she was asked to accompany the vocalist as well as the congregational music.  She received her music degree in 1957 from Hardin-Simmons University.  Betty worked in the public school system as a music instructor before retiring with 32 years.  She taught in various towns such as Snyder, TX; Odessa, TX; Clarendon, TX; Darrouzett, TX and Hale Center, TX where she retired.  Then she became an instructor for Clarendon College for several years.  In 1989 she received her Master of Arts in Music Education from West Texas A & M University.  She served as organist for the First United Methodist church in Clarendon, TX for several years.  Bettye taught private voice and piano lessons for 50 plus years.  She was a director of the Renaissance ladies vocal group in Memphis, TX.  Betty was a member of the First Baptist Church where she served as pianist from age 12 and was later elected as church pianist.  She was also a member of the Music Committee. 
She was preceded in death by her niece, Alecia Stewart.

She is survived by her sister, Bobbie Stewart of Memphis, TX; her brother, Jim Stewart and wife Judy of Memphis, TX; three nephews, Brad Stewart and wife Jill of Lubbock, TX; Clay Stewart of Memphis, TX; Doug Stewart of New York, NY; her great-nephew, Stetson James Stewart of Lubbock, TX; her great-niece, Laci Kae of Lubbock, TX.

The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church Music Department, P.O. Box 726, Memphis, TX 79245.