Bettie Rector

Bettie L. Rector entered the Gates of Heaven at age 81 on April 15, 2014. Her family and friends celebrated her life at a service on Friday, April 18, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lockhart, Texas with Pastor Rob Clopton officiating. Interment was in the Lockhart Cemetery under the direction of McCurdy Funeral Home.

Bettie was born on May 27, 1932 i

n San Antonio Texas. Her parents were James Thomas Dickens and Mae Louise Smith Dickens. She grew up in Luling, Texas and Corpus Christi, Texas and graduated from college at Southwest Texas Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas. Later in life she obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss.

On April 11, 1954, she married Billy Gray Rector in Corpus Christi, Texas. Bettie was an educator at Lockhart ISD at numerous campuses including Lockhart Elementary, Carver Elementary serving as a special education teacher, and Lockhart Intermediate as a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal. Bettie was also involved in many church activities including teaching Sunday School at many different levels. Bettie always had time in her life for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also played a major part in the lives of many of the children that she taught and mentored during her years in education.

Survivors include her son James Thomas Rector and wife Debra of Clyde, Texas; daughter Carol Lynn Rector of Lockhart, Texas. Grandsons, John Edward Shugart and wife Jennifer of Teague, Texas, Jason Eugene Shugart and wife Stephanie of Riesel, Texas, and Trenton Gray Rector of Abilene, Texas, six great grandchildren Bryant, Lauren, Cole, Carl, Kyle and Shelby and brother-in-law Joe Marvin Rector of Lockhart, Texas and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and former students.

She was preceded in death by her parents James Thomas Dickens and Mae Louise Smith Dickens and her husband Billy Gray Rector.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church memorial fund.

Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan, Lockhart, Texas 78644