Betty
Betty Raimond Farris
d. May 22, 2024
Harlingen, Texas
As a young girl, Betty was very active in Girl Scouts, starting as early as possible and continued even into high school. As a Senior Girl Scout, she worked in the Edinburgh Hospital to aid the nurses and the food service. She especially enjoyed this part of Girl Scouts.
Starting at an early age, Betty was very active in the Edinburg Methodist Church from Cradle Roll through her senior year of High School, even teaching a small group of four-year-olds when she was only sixteen. She grew up being very involved in Sunday School, Bible School, and regular church services, as well as Wednesday night services. She attended all the local church camps as well as church camps in Kerrville.
Betty graduated from Edinburg High School and was a member of the Drill team, the Sergeanettes. She enjoyed being the head twirler (Lt.) and marching at every football games. During the Edinburg and Harlingen football game she was crowned “Bobcat Sweetheart” in 1947 – 1948. She was also selected as a Sweetheart candidate by the Broncettes while attending Edinburg Junior College. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1952, and then later went on to receive a Master of Arts in Education in 1955. Betty later became certified as a reading specialist from Texas Women’s University.
Betty married her high school sweetheart, Robert Farris in December 1951, shortly before he reported for active duty in July 1952. They were married for 62 years until his passing in 2013.
Betty taught first grade at the new Bonham Elementary School while Bob was in Korea. Additionally, she taught many years at Austin Elementary and Long Elementary. While on those campuses, she would assist many children with reading issues, especially dyslexic students, with much kindness, patience, and one-on-one attention.
Having three sons, Betty wore many hats. She served many times as a Cub Scout Den mother, a Boy Scout leader, a P.T.A. mom, and a Marine Military Academy mother. She was also the carpool driver to many activities, taking her young sons and their friends to football practice, baseball games, swim meets, and golf tournaments.
Betty embodied Christ’s love, and she demonstrated it constantly by serving her church for over 60 years. She was involved as a Sunday school teacher at Harlingen First Methodist Church for 49 years consecutively. She was that Sunday school teacher who arrived, week after week, to faithfully love, teach, smile, and listen to the children in her classroom. Her message to them was: You are important to me and to God and you are God’s gift. Betty also helped when the church started a Wednesday afternoon program, as well as many years as a volunteer for the church’s Vacation Bible School.
Betty enjoyed and was active in the Harlingen Junior Service League and later was president of the League. She and Bob served as members of the Algodon Board. She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter T. Betty was a lifelong member of the Chi Omega Sorority.
More recently Betty returned to an old favorite organization of hers, the Harlingen Public Library, where she served on their board for many years. She served as Vice President of the Library Board. She enjoyed interviewing students who were wanting to serve on the board, meeting some of these students after many years and realizing they had known her and she them.
Betty is survived by her three sons, Bobby (Robin), Bill, and Brad; three grandchildren, Houston Farris (Christy), Holly Anne Jenkins (Daniel), and Will Farris (Nikki Fleuriet); and four great grandchildren, Holden Farris, Caroline, Catherine, and Collier Jenkins. Additionally, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Virgina S. Farris, and her niece, Anne Farris Marchant (Bill) and their children Katherine, Christopher, and Elizabeth. Betty is also survived by her long-time and constant companion, Herminia Hernandez and “Minnie’s” daughter, Bertha Rodriguez, whom Betty loved like she was her own daughter.
A private family service will be held at a later date at the mausoleum at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish can make donations in her memory to First Methodist Church, 321 East Harrison, Harlingen, Texas 78550.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Raimond Farris, please visit our flower store.
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