Betty Jene Baty Arrell

(November 28, 1954 ~ January 21, 2026)

Betty, daugther of Rev. Milton Earl Baty and Tommie Lue Hicks, married to Vernon Maxwell 'Max' Arrell and buried in Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Travis County, Texas.

Betty made her journey to her heavenly home on January 21, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

She was born on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 1935, to the Rev. and Mrs. Milton Baty. She was the second child born and remained the delight of her father throughout her life. Betty’s father was a Southern Baptist pastor, and her mother, Tommie Lue, was deeply involved in church life, particularly in the Woman’s Missionary Union.

From the beginning of her life, Betty was surrounded by love and grounded in God’s Holy Word. She often said she could not remember a time when she did not know that God loved her and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for her sins. She was cherished not only by her parents but also by her older brother, Ben whom she lovingly described as her hero and guardian angel. He watched over her throughout her life. She proudly bore the name “Jene,” after her mother’s older brother, whom she adored.

At the age of five, Betty accepted Jesus, gave her life to Him, and for the rest of her life sought to serve Him and bring others to faith. She lived this calling by serving those who were hurting or whose lives had been broken.

Because of her father’s ministry, the family moved frequently during her childhood, and Betty lived in many cities across Texas. In each place, she was embraced by the congregations her father served. She began school in Covington, Texas, and graduated from high school in Tuscola, Texas, in 1954. That fall, she entered Hardin-Simmons University on an academic scholarship and graduated as valedictorian of her class. She studied social work and followed this profession for more than fifty years. Even after retiring to focus on her home and family, she continued to use her skills as a caseworker, volunteering primarily with Baptist agencies. She delighted in offering her services without charge, often saying she owed it in gratitude for the many blessings she had received as a product of Texas Baptist life.

While attending Hardin-Simmons University, Betty met Vernon Maxwell Arrell, known as Max. They married on May 28, 1959, shortly after he completed his education. Throughout her life, Betty referred to Max as “the man God gave to me.” She adored him, never loved another, and often called him the man of her dreams. Though life was not without challenges, they shared a strong and loving marriage, and Max consistently encouraged Betty to follow what she believed the Lord was calling her to do.

Betty worked as a social worker at Abilene State School as an intake caseworker, presenting cases for admission and care. She also served at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock in the emergency room, at Buckner Home in Dallas handling adoptions and a mother’s aid program, and at the West Texas Rehabilitation Center in Abilene as a medical social worker helping determine appropriate treatment and aftercare.

After Max was transferred to Austin for work, Betty retired from her professional career to focus on family life. Their only child, Elizabeth Luann, was born, and from that point forward Betty’s primary devotion was to her husband, her child, and, as time allowed, her church.

Betty followed her parents in developing a deep love for missions. She often said she participated in missions for the sole purpose of using whatever she did as a way to earn the right to share the hope that was within her.

Throughout her life, Betty participated in many mission projects. Among the most significant was her twenty-five years of service in AIDS ministry to those infected with HIV and their loved ones. During this time, she not only ministered directly to those affected but also worked to educate fellow Baptists and encourage involvement. She learned early that fear often prevents people from following God’s leading, and she sought to live as an example of faithful obedience.

She also loved serving as a “blue cap” with Texas Baptist Men, responding wherever disasters occurred. Another ministry close to her heart was serving as an “angel chief” at the Fisher Houses at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, supporting wounded warriors and their families. A proud American, Betty believed deeply that those willing to fight and die for this nation deserved profound gratitude and lifelong care.

Betty often referred to her work in missions as “her journey of joy.” She liked to say she did it because it was the noble thing to do, but she freely admitted the truth was that it brought her great joy.

A woman of strong faith, Betty believed God was sovereign and that nothing entered her life without the foreknowledge of her Savior. Because of this, she faced life’s challenges with strength and trust. This did not mean she was never afraid or hurt by the choices of others, but she consistently placed the outcome in the Lord’s hands. This faith carried her through breast cancer and other difficult seasons, grounded in her assurance that her “Heavenly Father watches over me.”

Beyond her family, Betty’s greatest love was her local church. At the time of her death, she was a member of Austin Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.

Throughout her life, Betty held many positions of responsibility within the church. She served as a Bible teacher, WMU Director, member and officer of her local Baptist Association, member of the Board of Hardin-Simmons University, member of the Texas WMU board, and member of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Betty’s many loves included her Lord and His church, her husband, her daughter, her grandchildren, Katherine Elaine and Braden Michael, and her extended family.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Maxwell Arrell. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Luann Dickerson; her grandchildren, Katherine Elaine and Braden Michael; and extended family who will cherish her memory.

Barbara Jean Edwards Wallgren

(March 28, 1935 ~ June 28, 2025)

Barbara, daughter of Walter Howard Edwards and Ophelia Major, married to Glen Franklin Wallgren and buried in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, Colleyville, Tarrant County, Texas.

Barbara Jean Edwards Wallgren left us suddenly on June the 28th of 2025 at the age of 90.

She was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and a friend.

Barbara Jean Edwards was born on March 28th of 1935 In Abilene Texas to Walter and Ophelia Edwards

Barbara came from a large family of 13. She was a middle child of 11 children.

In September of 1960 she married Glen Wallgren. She always stated how blessed she was to have been married into such a wonderful loving family. He came from a family of seven.

In September of 1961 they had an addition to the family. They brought into the world Nancy Wallgren. She was their only child.

In September of 1989 Nancy married Michael Stephens. They had two beautiful girls, Britni and Brooke Stephens. They both meant the world to her.

Barbara was superseded by her loving husband Glen Wallgren, her loving parents Walter and Ophelia Edwards, her brother’s John (Bud) Edwards, Walter Edwards, Thomas Edwards, her sisters Dorothy Hopkins, Florence Mitchell, Lettie Frymire, Betty Huddy, Patricia Edwards and Margie Clark.

She is survived by daughter Nancy Wallgren Stephens, son-in-law Michael Stephens, granddaughter’s Britni Stephens, Brooke Stephens, sister Sherry Thompson and husband Jim Thompson, in-laws Gus and Joy Wallgren and her several nieces and nephews.

Forever loved and remembered Barbara Jean Edwards Wallgren.

A visitation will be held at 6:00pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, TX.

Services will begin at 10:00am on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Lucas Funeral Home.

Immediately following will be a graveside service at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, TX

There will be a reception following the graveside service at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park.

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Visitation

Saturday, July 12, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Lucas Funeral Home - Hurst

1321 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, TX 76053

Funeral Service

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Starts at 10:00 am 

Lucas Funeral Home - Hurst

1321 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, TX 76053

Graveside Service

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Starts at 11:45 am 

Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park

5725 Colleyville Boulevard, Colleyville, TX 76034

Thomas Winston 'Tom' Smith

(March 16, 1934 ~ December 1, 2023)

Tom, son of Lance L. Smith and Willie Mae Little, married to Patricia Mae Zachary and buried in Greenlawn Northeast Cemetery, Bakersfield, Kern County, California.

Tom Smith, the longtime President of Calcot, Ltd., passed away surrounded by family on December 1, 2023 at the age of 88.

Thomas Winston Smith was born to Lance and Willie Mae (Little) Smith in Crosby County, on the Texas high plains. He was the third of four brothers who were raised on Texas cotton farms. When Tom was eight years old, the family returned to the their ancestral region to farm outside of Lawn, south of Abilene.

Tom excelled in academics and sports in his high school class of nine students. He attended Texas A&M and graduated in 1957 with a degree in agricultural economics. With strong recommendations from professors, Tom interviewed and obtained a job at Calcot upon graduation. After moving to Bakersfield as a 22 year-old who had never been outside Texas, he advanced through the corporation, working in every aspect of the business. As a young executive, he completed studies in management development at the Harvard Business School. Tom also served in the U.S. Army Reserves, attaining the rank of Captain.

In 1958, Tom married Patricia Zachary, the daughter of an Old River cotton farmer. Their marriage began a life of love and enjoyment along with a commitment to each other, family, their long-lasting friendships, the community and the cotton industry. Tom was always proud and supportive of Pat's service on the Bakersfield City Council.

In 1977, Tom became President of Calcot, the largest cotton marketing organization in the Western U.S., at the age of 42. Over his career, he worked for the grower-owned cooperative for forty-five years and was President and CEO for twenty-five years before retiring in 2002. During that time Tom was a leader in the cotton industry, serving as president and chairman of the National Cotton Council, Cotton Council International, and a boardmember of the New York Cotton Exchange. He was appointed by two secretaries of agriculture to serve on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee and was inducted into the Cotton Hall of Fame. In an era when cotton was the single largest crop in the San Joaquin Valley and Arizona, he headed a sales team that marketed many millions of bales, exporting the majority to textile mills around the world. He also represented the interests of western cotton growers in Washington, D.C., New York and throughout the industry.

Many organizations sought his counsel and he served for nearly forty years as a boardmember and chairman of the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital board of directors, chairman of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and was a graduate fellow of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. He was honored by Texas A&M with the Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Tom was also a longtime member of the Downtown Bakersfield Rotary Club and numerous other community organizations.

Tom was kind, thoughtful and exceptionally patient. He was a true gentleman whose word was his bond. He approached life with a quiet determination and perseverance, an overriding sense of duty and boundless energy. Tom was blessed with an analytical mind and a practical problem-solving approach. Notwithstanding his professional accomplishments, he was proudest of his family and treasured time with his children and grandchildren.

Tom and Pat were married 63 years before Pat's passing in 2022. Tom is survived by his children Janna Gosselin (Craig) and T. Mark Smith (Juliet Crites) and five grandchildren: Kyle and Ryan Gosselin and Thomas, Benjamin and Grace Smith. He is also survived by his younger brother Roland Smith (Melody) of College Station, Texas, sister-in-law Jo Reta Smith of Lawn, Texas and numerous nephews and nieces. In addition to his wife Patricia, he was predeceased by his parents and brothers Travis and Delmon Smith.

A memorial service to celebrate Tom's life will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, 11300 Campus Park Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93311 on December 21, 2023 at 10:00 am.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

Published by Bakersfield Californian from Dec. 12 to Dec. 20, 2023.

Mary Gale Watson Jones Matulka

(February 11, 1957 ~ October 17, 2026)

Mary, daughter of James Robert Watson and Kara Gale Murphy, married 1st to Harvey Duane Jones, married 2nd to Gerald R. 'Jerry' Matulka and will be buried in Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Dwight, Butler County, Nebraska.

Mary Matulka, 69 of Northborough, MA passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Visitation will be from 9-10am, Saturday, October 24th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in David City, Nebraska. A Rosary service will be held at 10:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church and the funeral mass will follow at 10:30am with the burial at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Dwight, Nebraska. A funeral lunch will follow the burial at the David City Auditorium.

To know Mary Gale Watson was to know a woman of extraordinary heart, resilience, and devotion. She was born on February 11, 1957, in Cleburne, Texas to James Robert Watson and Kara Gale (Murphy) Watson. Mary grew up in Tuscola, Texas, where she graduated from Jim Ned High School in 1975. She was warmly remembered by her classmates for her kindness and spirited nature.

Mary’s life was defined by love for family. As a single mother, when work became scarce in Abilene, she bravely moved her young family to Dallas, determined to give them a better future.

Shortly after moving, Mary met her soulmate, Jerry Matulka, in Richardson, Texas. Their connection was instant, deep, and enduring. They married in 1992 in Jerry’s childhood parish in Ulysses, Nebraska. They began a partnership filled with unwavering support of each other, support of family, shared purpose, and countless adventures. Together, they traveled frequently, especially cherishing their time in Italy and Switzerland, always inspiring one another to grow and live fully.

Mary worked tirelessly while earning her degrees, building a career in payroll management where she became a fierce advocate for the people she served. Her compassion extended far beyond her profession. She cared for aging family members with tenderness and later devoted herself to supporting a dear friend through a difficult battle with leukemia. During that time, Jerry cared for their five young grandchildren, a testament to the strength of their shared devotion.

Mary and Jerry’s involvement with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation brought them treasured friendships with early astronauts and their families — relationships that enriched their lives and reflected their deep appreciation for courage, exploration, and human achievement.

In between adventures, Mary also enjoyed gardening, mystery novels, vintage television shows, and, of course, a trip to the candy store. Above all, she enjoyed making special memories.

Mary fought bravely through complications following a liver transplant, passing away on October 17, 2026, with Jerry steadfastly at her hospital bedside. The love and prayers surrounding her from family and friends during those final days was a reflection of the love and care that she had poured into others throughout her life.

She leaves behind her husband, Jerry; children, Jeneva and husband Adam Joseph Flores, Marian and significant other Chris McSpadden, and Toby; and her grandchildren, Lexie and husband Adrian Orozco, Wayland, Jewel, Ashley, Brandy, Ayden, and Ellie; and cats Bobcat and Oliver. She is reunited with her parents, James and Gale; her brother, James Michael; her sister, Rebecca; and her sister-in-law, Judith.

Mary’s legacy is one of devotion, courage, and boundless love. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Visitation

Saturday, October 24, 2026

9:00 - 10:00 am

St. Mary's Catholic Church

580 I Street, David City, NE 68632

Rosary

Saturday, October 24, 2026

10:00 - 10:30 am

St. Mary's Catholic Church

580 I Street, David City, NE 68632

Mass

Saturday, October 24, 2026

10:30 - 11:30 am

St. Mary's Catholic Church

580 I Street, David City, NE 68632

Burial

Saturday, October 24, 2026

12:00 - 12:30 pm

Assumption Catholic Cemetery - Dwight

Hwy 66, Dwight, NE 68635

Lunch

Saturday, October 24, 2026

1:00 - 2:00 pm

David City Auditorium

699 Kansas Street, David City, NE 68632

Shirley Jean Gossett Parker

(February 25, 1935 ~ September 25, 2026)

Shirley, daughter of Warren Leonard Gossett and Pearl Glen White, married to Searcy Junior 'S.J.' Parker and buried in Tuscola Cemetery, Tuscola, Taylor County, Texas.

Searcy Junior "S.J." Parker, age 94 and his beloved wife of 73 years, Jean Parker, age 91, both of Abilene, passed away just four days apart, holding hands in spirit as they lived their entire lives together. S.J. joined the Lord on September 21, 2026, and Jean followed him to heaven on September 25, 2026. True to their vows of "till death do us part," neither could bear to be apart from the other for long.

Their love story began in Tuscola, Texas where they met and then married on April 21,1953 in Abilene, Texas. S.J. proudly served in the US Army and upon his discharge they began building their lives in Tuscola and then Abilene, Texas. They worked together in various family businesses, then together in their jointly owned restaurant, Milano's Drive-In. After many years of owning and working in their business together, S.J. went into sales, first at Broyles Carpet and then for many years at Lawrence Hall Chevrolet. Jean worked for Abilene ISD and then retired to stay at home and pursue her love of crafting, bargain hunting extraordinaire, and use her amazing baking skills to provide treats for her family and friends. S.J. and Jean loved to travel and took many trips together. When they weren't traveling you could usually find them on a lake sharing their love of fishing, or spending time with their family. It was rare to find one without the other, as they shared the same interests and the joy of spending time together. Their legacy is one of kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion - to each other and to those they loved.

Searcy Junior Parker (S.J.), age 94, was born March 22,1932 in Cullman, Alabama. He was proceeded in death by his parents, George Searcy and Willie Parker, brothers Herman Parker, Horace Parker, J.L. Parker & Jack Parker, sisters Clara Hight, Dixie Calcote, & Mildred Hooten.

Shirley Jean Parker, age 91, was born on February 25,1935 in Abilene, TX. She was proceeded in death by her husband, S.J. (by four days), her parents, Warren Gossett and Pearl Rosson, sisters Frances Rardon, Anne Seybold, JoLynn Strakos & brother Dayne Gossett.

S.J. and Jean are survived by two sons, Steven Parker & wife Retha, Terrell Parker & wife Tracy; five grandchildren, Neal Parker, Shay Jerome (Danny), Leah Matthews (Alan), Tara Herndon (Morgan), Kyle Parker (Corey), great-granddaughter Makayla Herndon, brother/brother-in-law Gary Parker (Hilda); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A joint visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Fry-Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola, TX. A joint graveside service to celebrate both of their remarkable lives will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 3:00 pm at the Tuscola, TX Cemetery.

To send flowers with our preferred florist or plant a memorial tree, please visit our flower store.

S.J. and Jean Parker's Tribute

Funeral Services

Visitation

Thursday, October 1

Fry-Smith Funeral Home

502 Kent Ave, Tuscola, TX 79562

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Graveside Service

Friday, October 2

Tuscola Cemetery

U.S. Highway 83, Tuscola, TX

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Dorthy Jean Flowers Ramirez

(December 6, 1959 ~ September 13, 2026)

Dorthy, daughter of Clifford Ray Flowers and Eudora Sue Nichols, married to Joe Fred Ramirez.

Dorthy Jean Flowers Ramirez

Abilene, Texas- Dorthy Jean Ramirez, 66, passed away September 13, 2026.

Per her wishes, no public service will be held.

Arrangements with Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene.

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