Betty June Taliaferro

Betty June Taliaferro passed away on March 4, 2026, at the age of 94. She was born on February 6, 1932, in Houston, Texas, at Jefferson Davis Hospital to her parents, Bessie and Arthur Cook. Betty lived her entire life in Houston, the city she proudly called home. She grew up with her four siblings: Arthur, Imogene, Clifford, and William.

Betty began working at a young age after leaving Cy-Fair high school. Early in her career she worked as an elevator operator, and later at General Electric. Soon after she went to work as a waitress at the Triangle Café. While working there, she met the owner's son, Otto Charles Taliaferro. The two quickly fell in love and were married in 1951. Together they built a life in Houston and raised their two daughters, Jane and Joan.

After the café closed in 1969, Betty worked for several beauty salons as a receptionist where she made many friends with both coworkers and clients over the years. Soon after her granddaughter Tracie was born, Betty took her in, raising her as her own daughter.

Betty's last job was in customer service at Schepps Dairy. It was somewhat ironic that she worked for a dairy company since she never cared much for dairy products, except for lemon custard ice cream, which she loved. Betty remained there until the birth of her great-granddaughter, Ashlyn, when she decided to retire.

When her great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Justin, were born, Betty once again stepped in to help raise the next generation of her family. She took them to and from school each day and cared for them until they were in high school, essentially raising them while their parents worked.

During her later years, Betty was lovingly cared for by her daughters, Jane and Joan, along with devoted caregivers Theresa, Belinda, Cathy, and Tammy. The family extends a very special thank you to Tammy, who dedicated countless hours not only while serving as Betty's caregiver but also in the many moments she chose to help the family on her own time. Betty loved Tammy dearly, and her kindness, compassion, and unwavering support meant more than words can express.

Betty enjoyed playing dominoes and canasta with her mother-in-law and two neighbors, and she was known for usually winning the gin rummy games she played against her great-grandson, Justin, and youngest daughter, Joan. She loved watching old western television shows such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Rifleman, and The Virginian. Her favorite actor was John Wayne. She was also a member of Jersey Village Baptist Church, where she regularly attended services for many years while she was able.

Betty loved her family deeply and welcomed those who married into the family as her own, including her granddaughter Tracie's husband, James Cox, and her daughter Joan's wife, Robin Palmer.

She is survived by her daughters, Jane and Joan, her granddaughter, Tracie, her great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Justin, and her dog, Benji. Betty will be remembered for the life she built, the many roles she held over the years, and the care she gave to those closest to her. Her memory will remain with her family and all who knew her, especially those that were lucky enough to call her "Nanny."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make donations to your favorite charity or the Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes (Formerly JDRF). A memorial service will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 1101 Antoine Drive in Houston, TX on March 10 at noon.