Betty B. Pence

Betty Pence, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, went to be with her Lord on May 29, 2015 at the age of 81. Services will be held at Davis Greenlawn Chapel in Rosenberg, TX on Wednesday, June 3 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Barry Adkins officiating. Betty was born in Sugar Land, TX on July 17, 1933, the second of four children. Betty attended elementary school in Manvel, TX and Junior School in Alief. After the death of her father as a result of a tragic accident in 1939, Betty lived with her grandparents throughout the remainder of her school-age years. During her senior year in high school, Betty was inducted into the Marguerite Johnson Chapter of Quill and Scroll, a national honor society for outstanding school journalists. Additionally, she received the DAR Good Citizenship Pilgrimage Award, a merit award bestowed upon high school seniors who possess good citizenship qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Betty graduated from Missouri City High School in 1950 at the age of 17. After graduation, Betty enrolled in the Laura Eldridge Nursing School to become a nurse's assistant. She was working in this capacity when she met the love of her life and husband of 61 years, Hurleigh Pence. Hurleigh was a patient at the hospital when God allowed their paths to cross. Hurleigh was drawn to the gentle, kind, and compassionate spirit of this lovely young lady and was determined to know her better. After being discharged from the hospital, he asked his mother to contact Betty and arrange for her to "come by and check on" her former patient. Their relationship blossomed, and they were married August 10, 1951. Betty continued to work as a nurse's assistant a few more years and then joined the Imperial Sugar Company family and worked as a keypunch operator until May, 1959. During these years, the couple traveled across the U.S., enjoying the wonders of God's creation. Betty and Hurleigh desperately longed to have a family and, after eight years, God granted their heart's desire with the arrival of their daughter in 1959. Then in 1962, they were blessed with their second child, a son. Betty loved her family and selflessly cared for them. She chose to be a stay-at-home mom, and her patient, loving, nurturing, caring, and supportive nature made a lifelong impact on her children. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman. She was not only a special mother but also her daughter's best friend. Betty was an incredible listener and always took the time to share in her daughter's life by just being available to listen. No matter what she may have been doing or how busy she may have been, Betty always made an individual feel as if he or she were the most important person in her life at that moment. Betty never advised, judged, rescued, or intervened. She just quietly listened. Betty returned to full-time employment at Nalco Chemical Company in Sugar Land in 1976, taking a position as bookkeeper in the accounting department. She thoroughly enjoyed her years there and retired October 1, 1991. Betty accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a teenager through the witness of classmate and friend, Mildred Maler, who would later become her sister-in-law. Betty was a committed Christian and truly had a servant's heart. She ministered quietly, never wanting any attention for herself. She served in numerous Vacation Bible Schools, was a Jr. High girls' Sunday School teacher, preschool teacher, ladies' Sunday School teacher, Women's Missionary Union leader, church clerk, and as a deacon's wife, she was faithfully committed to her local church. Betty was a member of First Baptist Church of Sugar Land for many years and a charter and longtime member of Southwest Baptist Church. In her later years, she was a member of Quail Valley Baptist Church, Kingsbrook Baptist Church, attended Sugar Land Bible Church, and most recently was a member of First Baptist Church in Baytown. Betty was committed to raising her children in the spirit and admonition of the Lord and wonderfully modeled a life of faith. Rather than worry, she took everything to the Lord in prayer. Even when faced with the cruel reality that Alzheimer's disease would slowly steal her treasured memories, she never expressed anger, bitterness, fear, or regret over what could have been. Rather, she approached the future with grace and trust in the sovereignty of God. Betty had a heart for people. She was a devoted friend, confidante, encourager, and supporter. She loved to minister to others and many were blessed with her gifts of home-cooked meals, Christmas goodies, and handmade gifts. Betty volunteered her time to her community, serving as a March of Dimes collection volunteer and an elementary school homeroom mother. Betty was a gifted seamstress and very much enjoyed handwork, especially cross-stitching. Betty loved her grandsons and was a wonderful grandmother and playmate. She loved to hear about the things that were happening in their lives and was always so very faithful to intercede in prayer on their behalf. For many years following their retirement, Betty and Hurleigh thoroughly enjoyed traveling in their R.V. throughout the U.S. and Canada. They were blessed to make many new friends along the way. Betty will be remembered for her gentle sweet spirit, her kindness and compassion toward others, and her smile and special little laugh. Betty was preceded in death by her mother and father, Minnie Diehl and Otto McClung, step-father, Everett "Doc" Diehl, and brother David McClung and his wife, Mildred. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Steve Toney of Baytown, TX; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Amy Pence of Carlsbad, NM; grandsons Doug Toney of Raleigh, NC and David Toney of Arlington, VA; brother, Ronald McClung and wife Bea, sister Eunice Annoot and husband Jim, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place Tuesday evening, June 3, from 5-7 p.m. at Davis Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The family would like to thank Debby Warner for her dedication, kindness, and Christ-like service to Betty after the passing of her beloved husband. The family expresses its deepest appreciation and gratitude to the administrators and staff at Swan Manor in Baytown for their excellent care, compassion, gentleness, understanding, support and especially the love they showered on Mrs. Pence. They brought joy into her life, a smile to her face, and reminded her constantly through their words and actions that she was valued and loved.

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Betty B. Pence

July 17, 1933 - May 29, 2015