Betty Rountree Wattinger

Betty Rountree Wattinger was born 1st of Twins at 1:05am at St Anthony's Hospital on October 5, 1931 in Amarillo, Texas to John Blackwell Rountree and Anne Biard Rountree. She passed away peacefully on August 23, 2018 surrounded by her twin sister, both daughters and son. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Ret Major Fred Sidney Wattinger, son, Fred Sidney Wattinger Jr. and her parents. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Wise of Tallahassee, Florida daughters, Synthia Hutchens, Marsha Smith of Round Rock, son John Wattinger, five grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and a number of nephews and nieces. Betty graduated from Roswell High School in New Mexico and attended Texas Tech University. In 1948, Betty met her husband one weekend when she was home from Texas Tech, while he was stationed at Walker AFB. They were married within months. Nephew, Carl Rountree was the Ring Bearer. Betty had over 20 years of management work experience as well as 20+ years of service work as a military wife. She often stated she moved over 17 times during a 20 year span while raising 4 kids. For over 30 years she was active in the creation and support of Austin area non-profit services for adults who have mental health challenges and their whole families. Betty was a lifetime member of PLAN of Central Texas and has been an active participant since its inception. She was an early member who helped initially develop, implement and grow local non-profit responsiveness to caregivers who also need supports. For example, Betty helped establish and maintain local community mental health center family support groups, NAMI meetings, and especially PLAN of Central Texas, Inc. For over a decade every year, Betty and her associates provided for a huge Christmas lunch for hundreds of adult clients of Integral Care of Austin formerly known as ATCMHMR. She was also a long time member of NAMI. She had volunteered for many years, holding various positions in Austin, especially focusing on helping those challenged by brain disorders. Betty has raised funds and coordinated the yearly Austin Travis County Integral Care Consumer Holiday Party. At PLANCTX, Betty worked tirelessly in public and behind the scenes to ensure availability of responsive client and family-friendly services. In the last several years, Betty served as the PLANCTX Board of Director's Vice President, the Volunteer Supervisor of all Office Staff, an advocate who helped PLANCTX successfully compete for significant grants and as the incredible hostess of marvelous holiday parties for the PLANCTX staff at her home for years. Betty always made everyone feel cared about and welcomed. Betty was a faithful volunteer once a week at the PLANCTX office and on many PLANCTX committees, her presence will be missed. Betty was a long-time (50+) parishioner of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and served there in many ways. She was a member of the Altar Guild from the time that she joined the church. During her years serving on the Parish Care committee, which provides food for all of Good Shepherd's receptions, Betty always showed up with her famous chicken salad sandwiches. She also helped with set-up for the Wednesday Evening Healing service, and faithfully attended that service. One of Betty's favorite small groups at Good Shepherd was a monthly book group that met together for many years. Above all else, Betty especially enjoyed being a Lay Eucharistic Visitor, bringing Communion and prayers to countless parishioners who were in the hospital. For the last year and a half, Betty has enjoyed relaxing and meeting new friends at the Conservatory at Wells Branch. She volunteered for many events and became an Ambassador, welcoming new residence to the community, enjoyed singing in the Conservatory Singers and of course the weekly Happy Hours. However, Betty did miss pulling weeds and tending to her garden of 50+ years on Far West and the wonderful and protective neighbors that made that community in Northwest Hills what it is today. Services will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor, Austin, TX 78703. Interment will follow in the Good Shepherd Church Columbarium. Honorary Pallbearers are: Tom, Aaron, Brandon and Cody Smith; Terry, Bret and Kyle Hutchens. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Honor of Betty Wattinger to The Church of the Good Shepherd or "Planed Living Assistant Network" - PLAN, P.O. Box 4755, Austin Texas 78765-4755 or www.planctx.org .