Betty Louise Croft

1928 - 2025

Betty Louise Croft

April 20, 1928 - September 17, 2025

Fort Worth, Texas - Betty Louise Croft, 97, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

She was born to Frank Ernest and Emily Irene Wilcox on April 20, 1928, in Independence, Missouri. After attending Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO, she attended the University of Illinois where she met Paul Howard Croft Jr. She graduated in 1949 and worked as a secretary for the dean of the University while Howard finished his last year of college in 1950, after returning home from his service in the Army.

Betty and Howard were married on September 2nd 1950 and celebrated 72 years of marriage together before the passing of Howard in 2022. They had four children: daughter, Sheryl Lynn Picciolo and husband, Tony (Deceased) of North Richland Hills, Texas; son, Scott Howard Croft (Deceased) and wife, Sheri, who is now married to Bob Edwards of Nolanville, Texas; son, Steven Ernest Croft and wife, Donna of Bedford, Texas; and daughter, Sandra Leigh Shepard and husband, Ray of Conroe, Texas. She had eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, who all adored their amazing Nanaw. Her brother, Frank Wilcox passed away in 2019, in Springfield, MO.

At the heart of Betty's life was her family. She poured her energy and love into raising their four children. She set before them a foundation rooted in faith, wisdom and love that was filled with watching, learning, doing and growing. They were so blessed to have been raised by such a Godly woman, which then extended to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She taught them about life, people, respect, integrity, honesty, strength, tenderness, compassion, humbleness, boldness, comfort, care, love, joy, happiness, amazing levels of fun and God's plan for every aspect of life. Every day she was a beautiful example to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as she taught them how to live their life walking with God every day, sharing Christ-like love to all around them and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them in everything they say, everything they think and everything they do. When you were in her presence, she had the amazing ability to make you feel cherished and that you were her absolute favorite person in her life.

Besides her love for God, His Word, her husband, Howard and her family, Betty had some very special things that she was passionate about and were a big part of her daily schedule. First, was her love for sports. Her two football teams were the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs. Her baseball team was the Texas Rangers. She was a dedicated and powerfully passionate fan for all three. When Howard and Betty retired, she never missed a game being televised and even at 97 years old, she still was very vocal throughout the game and had loud and numerous conversations with officials and the players throughout the game. This passion was very evident when Howard had a separate room set up for Betty to watch all of her sports due to the non-stop humorous and boisterous vocals from her from start to finish.

Second, was her game shows and home design and fixer-upper shows. Betty absolutely loved these shows. She would set aside her TV time to watch numerous shows of building homes, flipping homes, redesigning homes, updating homes and more. Of course, she had her dialogue and commentary to go along with each one. Then, she had a myriad of game shows, from those that have been on the air for decades to the newer ones. She truly enjoyed solving the puzzles, answering the questions, finding the special words, beating the clock and so much more. And, if the answer on the TV was incorrect, Betty was kind enough to let them know from her personal commentary while watching. And of course whether it was sports, home shows or game shows, Betty engaged with enthusiasm and humor-especially when sharing the moment with her family.

For the last 21 years, Betty lived at Trinity Terrace Retirement Community in Fort Worth, Texas, with Howard passing away three years ago in 2022. Before moving to Texas in 2004, Howard and Betty lived in Fort Washington, MD. for 36 years where Howard served as an elder at the Oxon Hill Church of Christ for 32 years. As an elder's wife, Betty provided Howard faithful and loving support in the many areas that God placed before her. She gave honor and glory to God in every aspect of her life which was an example to all as it was easily seen in her words and actions. One of the areas within the congregation that she dedicated her talents to for over 30 years was managing and organizing the Bible class supply room and education materials area.

Betty's life was a beautiful testimony of her faithful walk with God… how she treasured Howard with a love that could not be surpassed… and how her family was always at the center of her heart. She was full of joy, always displayed a servant heart for others, was compassionate and forgiving, warm and tender, fun and playful, generous and loving, and most importantly was a woman who loved the Lord every day of her life. She leaves a legacy of faith that will live on through all who knew her.

Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2025, at Legacy Church of Christ, 8801 Mid-Cities Blvd., North Richland Hills, Texas 76182; with a visitation one hour prior to service beginning at 10 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to: Christian Care Centers Foundation, 948 Wiggins Parkway, Mesquite, Texas 75150 or Christ Haven Children's Home, 4150 Keller-Haslet Road, Keller, Texas 76248.