Betty Boyd Skelton

Betty Boyd Skelton, a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, and loyal friend, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 13, 2024, surrounded by family.

Born Betty Olive Boyd on July 19, 1946 in "the perfect small town" of McKinney, Texas, she was preceded in death by her parents Nannette Gay Boyd and Roland Weldon Boyd; brother, William Maston Boyd and sister-in-law Betty Byrne Boyd of McKinney; cousin Gay Walker Nitcholas and husband Otho James "Nick" Nitcholas, Jr. of Dallas, cousin John Edward Gay of McKinney, Texas; and nephew William Bradley Boyd of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dr. James Mathison Skelton, Jr.; daughter Carrie Skelton Holcomb and husband Ryan, son Roland Boyd Skelton and wife Sara, daughter Amanda Skelton Yocum and husband John; grandchildren Scott Mathison, Ashley Louise and Kevin Boyd Holcomb, Oliver Boyd and Owen Thomas Skelton, James Lawrence, Patrick Thomas and Henry Jackson Yocum of Houston; as well as numerous other cousins, nieces and nephews. The family is extremely grateful for the loving care provided to Betty by Manuela Tzul and Rosie Tzul.

A proud graduate of McKinney High School in 1964, Betty went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Speech from Southern Methodist University where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Betty and Jim were married on January 6, 1968 at the First Baptist Church of McKinney, and soon after moved to Galveston, Texas. Betty taught third grade and served as the interim principal at Trinity Episcopal School while Jim attended medical school at UTMB. After graduation, the couple settled in Houston where they later began their family.

Betty was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for young married couples, high school seniors and led countless Bible studies. As a staff member, she was responsible for organizing special events and played an instrumental role in fundraising for the construction of the Worship and Family Life Centers. Her commitment to education extended to her volunteer work for Second Baptist School where she supported the students, teachers and faculty in many capacities, including chairing the school auction, planning graduation ceremonies and serving as a member of the school's development board. Betty was an active and sustaining member of the Junior League of Houston and served many years as a docent of Bayou Bend. Full of ideas, Betty's entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found two companies, Sugar Plum Factory and later, Creative Time Management, alongside her dear friend Kathy Munger.

An exceptional hostess, Betty loved to entertain and had a unique ability to make each of her guests feel special no matter how many were in attendance. Whether for intimate gatherings at their small Galveston apartment during their early years of marriage or later in life for birthday parties, wedding showers, large charity events or church functions, her talent for creating beautiful environments made every occasion memorable.

Betty's greatest joy in life was her family. Affectionately known as Nana, she was a constant presence at her eight beloved grandchildren's sporting events and school activities, cheering them on with unwavering enthusiasm. Her most cherished memories were those of time spent with family and friends at the couple's summer home on Lake Erie in Lakeside, Ohio.

Everyone who met Betty was touched by her profound love for Jesus and her gift of encouragement. She truly embodied the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:

"Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

A memorial service will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, November 6th in the Sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, with Reverend Dave Riggle officiating. Immediately following, all are invited to a Celebration of Life at Houston Country Club, 1 Potomac Drive in Houston.

Honorary pallbearers include longtime friends, Dan Buckey, Roger Berkowitz, Jim Copeland, Bob Dowdell, Skip McBride, Derek Munger, James Nance, Ned Tookman and Paul Tyler.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Betty Sketon's name be directed to Second Students at Second Baptist Church. For those unable to attend in person, the memorial service will be streamed at https://www.second.org/liveevents/.