Obituaries

Betty Joyce O’Hanlon passed away peacefully at home on October 6, 2021, after a long battle with lung disease. She was born September 28, 1942, and grew up in Bells, Texas. She was fiercely proud of her family, considering it her greatest accomplishment.

In 1960 she met the love of her life, George O’Hanlon, when she was competing in the Texas Farm Bureau beauty pageant at Loy Lake Park. He saw her on stage and was smitten. Three months later, they were married, and their enduring partnership began. Betty and George shared a love of animals. They raised registered Hampshire breeding hogs for most of their marriage, winning numerous championships at the State Fair of Texas, Ft. Worth Stock Show, Heart of Texas Livestock Show, Houston Livestock Show and the San Antonio Stock Show. They reached the pinnacle by winning the National Type Conference in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Their successes made them the subjects of articles in local and DFW area newspapers as well as national livestock magazines. They also raised show cattle which placed highly at major livestock shows, and were members of the American Simmental Association.

Along the way, Betty supported her sons in various positions in the S&S CISD: she was a room mother, a 4-H leader, and a Cub Scouts Den Mother. Later she held offices in PTO, FFA Booster Club, and Athletics Booster Club. On Friday nights, she could be heard before she was seen -- ringing her cowbell for the mighty S&S Ram football team.

She “gently” encouraged her sons to attend Texas A&M University, and considered herself an honorary Aggie. After immersing herself in the Grayson County Aggie Mom’s Club, she was given the “Gung Ho Aggie Parent” award in 1985, which remains on her wall along with family photographs.

Betty and George celebrated their 50th Anniversary on December 23, 2010. Within weeks, George was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and passed away March 19, 2011. Shortly after that, Betty was diagnosed with lung disease.

Betty was determined to continue living a full life. So she became a CASA (court appointed special advocate) board member to advocate for children, and was inducted into the Preston Trail Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She also reconnected with her former classmates from Bells High School for several “reunions”. George’s Sherman High School class of ’59 adopted Betty into their “GNO” (girls night out) where she rekindled old friendships, and made many new friends.

She was a long time parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sherman. Betty was preceded in death by her parents (Wade and Juanita Turner), her brother (Eddie Turner), and her husband (George O’Hanlon). She is survived by her son Adrian O’Hanlon (and wife Ginny), son Anthony O’Hanlon (and wife Cim), grandchildren: Adrian O’Hanlon III (and fiance’ Decembre Mullins) Ryan O’Hanlon (and wife April), Ross O’Hanlon, Macie O’Hanlon and Madeline O’Hanlon, and great grandson Evan O’Hanlon. Betty is survived by her three sisters. She also leaves behind her loving caregivers (Christie Kennedy and Anna Canady). Special thanks to Home Hospice of Grayson County nursing staff (Mike Sperry, Martha Meals, and Shelley Taylor) for their dedicated concern.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made in Betty O’Hanlon’s memory to: Home Hospice of Grayson County, St. Mary’s Catholic parish, and COPD Foundation (www.copdfoundation.org) .

Mass of the Christian burial was conducted by Father Lito at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sherman, Texas on October 11, 2021.