Services for Betty Dean McClendon will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas.

Betty Dean McClendon, passed on to Paradise this morning at peace in Katy, TX.  How do you sum up 82 years?  How do you assess a life….a woman's life?  She lived out loud.  She had incredible passion and was loyal to those that were in her tribe.  Most notable about mom was her love of comedy.  Her sense of humor is unmatched.  Countless laughter filled this world because she lit up the rooms she inhabited.  Like most people, she had moments where she could be hard, but she had a wellspring of kind compassion for others.  Her creative heart can be seen throughout her life and in the things she made with her hands.  Many wonder where my girls inherited their gifts in creative design and art work.  It came from my mom.  That lives on now and that comforts me.  Her belief in knowledge and love of the written word has left an indelible mark on countless children she shepherded and taught as an educator for decades spanning Virginia and Texas.  She invested a large part of her life in the future.  She loved to teach in the classroom and served as a librarian for many years as well.  She loved Baylor University and was a ferocious hater of all things Longhorn!

Supremely notable, she had a strong faith in Christ and love of His Church.  She was a faithful giver to Billy Graham, Central Baptist Church and various other Christian missions.  I learned many things from mom.  Honesty; Perseverance; Commitment to Excellence; the Value of Relationships and the Power of a good turn of phrase to bring ease to any situation.

Mom is survived by my family and Mary's family.  We covet your prayers and thank you for all that many of you meant to mom.

We plan to have a Memorial Service through Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston TX where she invested most of her years - most likely toward the end of the year - when family and friends are most able to come and celebrate her life.  She will be laid to rest in north Texas at a family service.