Obituaries

Bette Hall Thompson"s earthbound journey came to a peaceful end on June 26 2011 as she was surrounded by those who loved her. She was born on February 18 1921 to R.L. and Margaret Ellen "Nel" Hall in the home of her grandparents at 206 Jones St. She had many fond memories of her childhood while growing up at 820 S. Crockett St. She was very proud of having been born and raised in Sherman. After graduating from SHS in 1938 she attended and graduated from the University of Texas in 1942. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. A year later she married Joe Sidney Thompson on May 15 1943. Their marriage blessed them with three daughters Sydney Thompson Langley Terence Hall Vaughan and Margaret Ellen Clendenin. "Meme" was a wonderful fun loving mother grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was the love of her life and some of her happiest moments were at the annual family Thanksgiving get-togethers at the Elkins Lake home of her sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Tom Nelms. She spent many hours sitting at her kitchen table in her beloved home on McGee Street looking out at the Japonica bush (which she transplanted from her birthplace on Jones Street) while sharing stories of her childhood and college days. She fondly remembered as a young girl hopping on running boards climbing trees and skating down Steadman Hill. In college her nickname was "Flower Pot" as she was often seen putting a flower behind her ear on the way to class (Shakespeare being her favorite). She lit up the room when singing "When It"s Tea time at the Tavern" a song she and her soulmate Rayburn Nall wrote while driving to Sherman from Austin for Christmas vacation. Bette loved to dance (especially if Ol" Blue Eyes was singing) and classified her date according to if he was a good or bad dancer. She looked forward to her weekly bridge games with dear friends as well as shopping at "Neimans Saks and TJ Maxx!" She usually ended her day watching "Wheel of Fortune". Offer her "Meme"s juice" or sweets and you would be her friend forever. In her later life she enjoyed traveling with fellow Longhorns in Europe and the Caribbean. She loved to show off her purchases from her trips to San Miguel de Allende with Roberta Nall. When she received her diagnosis of cancer one year ago she accepted it with the attitude that she would do whatever she was told to do as far as the treatment was concerned and she indeed did without complaint. She has been in inspiration to both young and old. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church a charter member of the Sherman Service League Current Review DAR and life member of the Texas Exes. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Sidney Thompson parents R.L. and Nel Hall, sister Margaret Hall Nelms, son-in-law Larry W. Langley, grandsons Ross Rob and William Marshall Langley. She is survived by daughters Sydney Terence and Meg, son-in-law David Clendenin and grandchildren Lindsey Langley Sartain Evan Langley Westerburg Shannon Lynn Vaughan Libby Vaughan Naifeh Todd Vaughan Jefferson David Clendenin Joe Chesley Clendenin and Maggie Clendenin as well as six great-grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are: Todd Vaughan Jay Joe and David Clendenin Russ Sartain Mark Westerburg Todd Naifeh Tommy Dick and Rob Nelms Dr. Ray Thomas Dr. Bill Drake Rim Nall John Hall. The family would like to express their appreciation to Stephanie Riley and the staff at Home Hospice of Grayson County Dr. Tammy Roque and Dr. Jill Heffern and staff at Texas Oncology and her special friend Becky Stanfield for the wonderful care Bette received. A memorial service to celebrate Bette"s life will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on June 28 at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. John Williams of Austin College. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Memorial donations in her name may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church Meals on Wheels Sherman Ex-Students Association Home Hospice of Grayson County and Sherman Education Foundation. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. "All good things have to come to an end"" Bette loved life Life loved Bette. You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com