Betty Jean Rawlings was with her family when she went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 1, 2019 in Wimberley, Texas. She was born November 6, 1926, in Greenville, Texas to Frank A. and Eugenia Brame. An accomplished singer, she first sang at the Baker Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom in Dallas at the age of 13. At 16, she was a singer for the Starlight Operettas (now known as Dallas Summer Musicals) and met many of the Broadway stars of the day. She attended the University of Texas in Austin and studied music. In the 1940’s she was a singer for the Tommy Cunningham Orchestra in the Century Room of the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. From there she went on to be the staff singer on a radio show that aired on KRLD in Dallas, performing with guest stars such as Jimmy Stewart, Frank Capra and Jimmy Durante. She was hired by the Glenn Miller Orchestra to sing at the Intercontinental Hotel in NYC, but was replaced at last minute by a more well-known singer. She served on Place 4 of the Greenville City Council in 1983. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist church and a member of the Church’s Chancel choir for many years. She worked at E-Systems/Raytheon and as church secretary for Wesley United Methodist Church.
Most of all she was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose personality and love of life left its mark on generations of her family. She loved reading mysteries late into the night, spending time with her granddaughters or talking sports with the grandsons (especially the Cowboys), coconut pie, nature, working in her yard, and leisurely meals with family and friends. Christmas was her favorite holiday and all the family loved the magical atmosphere she created punctuated by the beautiful Christmas tree.
She married Roy A. Rawlings, Jr. in March, 1951, they were married for 38 wonderful years until his death in 1989. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Frank A. and Eugenia Brame, and her brother Frank A. Brame III. She is survived by son John Phillip and wife Nita and their children Andrew, Katie Tillery and her husband Chris and great grandchildren Shelby, Austin and Addison, son Roy Patrick Rawlings and wife Linda and their sons Sean, Kevin and wife Amy and Kyle, and daughter Lynn Keys and husband Philip, daughter Lauren Martinez, her husband Sabas, and great grandchildren Mia and Sophia and grandsons Mitchell Keys and wife Kristi and great granddaughter Gatlyn, grandsons Brent and Trevor. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Evelyn and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, July, 6, 2019 at Coker Matthews funeral home in Greenville, TX. Visitation begins at 12:30 PM, the funeral at 2:00 PM, with graveside service at Memoryland Memorial Park to follow, officiation by the Reverend Mike Nichols.
Pallbearers will be Sean Rawlings, Kevin Rawlings, Kyle Rawlings, Chris Tillery, Andrew Rawlings and Scott McKay. Honorary pallbearer will be Tracy McKay.
Wesley United Methodist Church
Attention: Chancel Choir
1200 E. Joe Ramsey Blvd.
Greenville, Texas 75402
Wesleyumcgreenville.org
or
Wimberley Village Library
400 FM 2325
Wimberley, Texas 78676
Wimberleylibrary.org