Betty Jean Hays
3/21/1925 - 12/20/2017

Betty Jean Hays, age 92, formerly of Lake Jackson, TX, passed away peacefully in her home with her daughter, Judy, by her side in San Antonio, TX on December 20th, 2017. Betty was born at home on March 21, 1925 in Wilmore, Kansas to Leslie and Flora Drury. Betty grew up and went to school in Topeka, Kansas. In the summers during the depression years, she was sent to her uncle's farm to help babysit her younger cousins. As she grew older, she took on odd jobs like packaging bacon at Morrell Meat Packing Plant. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1943. She earned her nursing degree in 1947 from Christ's Hospital School of Nursing and then began working at the Veteran's Hospital in Topeka. Betty met her future husband, Jack, on a blind date after she graduated from high school. They corresponded while he served in WWII and married in 1949 after Jack graduated from Kansas State. They first lived in Illinois and Indiana while Jack worked for Dupont. In 1954, Jack took a job with Dow Chemical and the family moved to Lake Jackson. In 2015, after 60 years in Lake Jackson, Betty moved to San Antonio to live with her daughter, Judy. While raising her family, Betty was a nurse in Dr. Miller's office for many years until he retired. She then worked part time for Dr. Poothullil. She enjoyed her job and her patients; she was often called upon to help the children in the neighborhood with scrapes and cuts. Betty had a strong faith in God and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson. She developed many deep friendships there as she served within the church and the community. She volunteered in the Auxiliary at Brazosport Memorial Hospital for almost 40 years. She loved helping there and loved her coworkers. She became a member of The Order of the Eastern Star in 1975 and served as their Treasurer for many years. Betty and Jack enjoyed dancing and playing bridge. Betty's favorite hobbies were gardening, traveling, playing hymns on her harmonica, and needlepoint. She was always eager to watch her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She brought laughter and joy to everyone around her. Betty was a great listener and seldom said an unkind word. She was loved and will be greatly missed! Survivors include daughters, Judith (Raymond) Seymour of San Antonio, Janice Guerra and Jeanine (Roy) Meyer of Lake Jackson; son, Richard (Candi) Hays of Pinehurst, TX; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jack W. Hays; parents, Leslie and Flora Drury; granddaughter, Jessica Hays; sister, Virginia Sneden; and brother, Richard Drury. A private family memorial service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the charity of your choice.

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