Betty Jean Work

Suddenly called home to her Heavenly Father, Betty Jean Smith Work, departed this world Monday, August 4, 2008, at the age of 73. She was born September 8, 1934, in Houston, Texas, and was lovingly adopted at the age of nine hours by her parents, Otto Robinson and Lillian Elizabeth Werner Smith. Betty was the delight of their lives. In this capacity, she blessed an entire generation with her love and generosity. She was one of the first graduating seniors at Lutheran High School in 1953 in Houston, Texas. Betty met the love of her life, Jimmie Howard Work, in 1952, and they were married July 18, 1953, by the Reverend Oliver R. Harms at Trinity Lutheran Church. Recently they celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary. During the course of their marriage, they were blessed with three daughters: Pamela, Karen, and Sandra Bitsy, whom she loved and supported through every endeavor. She was an inspiration to them, their families, many friends and so many others whose lives she deeply touched. Betty was a long time member at Redeemer Lutheran Church, San Antonio, where she actively participated in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, the Adult Choir, Vacation Bible School, and the Parent Teacher League, volunteering in any and every capacity that she was asked. For the last nine years, she served her Lord as an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, San Antonio. She was preceded in death by her parents and her mother and father-in-law, Howard and Viola A. Work. She is survived by her husband, Jimmie H. Work, daughters, Pamela and husband, James F. Jimmy Green, Beverly Karen Work, Sandra and husband, Kurt Q. Anderson. She is also the proud grandmother, "MiMi" of James Preston Green, Rebekah Annaliese Green, Ashley Nicole Ortmann, Karissa Kylene Ortmann, Tyler Andrew Ortmann and Jordan Elizabeth Anderson; and she was lovingly blessed with one great-granddaughter, Peyton Michelle Green. Memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 6914 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78240 or The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12568, San Antonio, Texas, 78212.