Elizabeth Ann Gerdes

1937 - 2023

Elizabeth Ann Gerdes

November 28, 1937 - June 17, 2023

On June 17th Elizabeth "Betsy" Ann Billups Gerdes passed from this life into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior.  Services will be at St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday, June 30, at 10 am.

Betsy's life story began on November 28, 1937, when she was born to John Edan Billups and Clara Ruth Jackson Billups in Refugio Texas. She was the younger sister of Robert "Bub" Boyd and the older sister of John E. "Buddy" Billups. In her childhood years, her love brought joy and happiness to all of her family and friends.

Shortly after high school, she began dating Roger Gerdes. They were married on January 25, 1956 and settled in Los Fresnos, Texas after Roger finished his service in the Air Force. During this chapter of her story, she became a beloved sister-in-law to her brother's spouses, Iva Owens Boyd and Sandra Weeks Billups and to Roger's seven sisters and three brothers. She also became a mother to Denise, Debra, Diana, Drew, and Rusty. In her role as a mother, she consistently placed their needs above her own and showered them with unconditional love.

In 1978, she began her career as a single working mom at the Farm Bureau office in San Benito, Texas. In 1994, she was promoted and moved to the Farm Bureau Headquarters in Waco, Texas. During this chapter of her life, she became like a second "Mamma" to her sons-in-law, Bill Boyett (Denise), Bruce Allen (Diana), Lee Norris (Debbie) and Kent Hofstad (Drew). Betsy became a grandmother when Melissa Ray was born in 1976. Melissa was followed by Sulli Norris-Cole, Clayton Allen, Mia Hofstad, Hayes Norris, Paige Hofstad, and Will Gerdes. As her grandchildren matured and married, she became a loving "grandmother" to their spouses, Jamie Carey (Melissa Carey), Kyle Cole (Sulli Norris Cole), and Amelia Allen (Clayton). She picked up the name Gee-gee when she became great-grandmother to Ashely Carey and Jackson Carey. She also became a "Gee-gee" to Nathan and Lillie Davis when her son, Rusty began dating their mother, Lynn Davis. Betsy adored her growing family and her love was written into each of their hearts, lives, and memories.

Shortly after retiring in 2004, she moved to College Station where she continued in her role as Sister, Momma, Grandma, and GeeGee. During this chapter of her story, she also welcomed two new sons-in law, Rick Linn (Drew) and Vince Coll (Debra) into her family. Getting together at Betsy's house for love, laughter, and great food was something her family always looked forward to. Her family is also grateful that in her retirement years she was able to join the Christian Women's Connection. Their love and friendship were a source of inspiration to Betsy.

The final chapter of her life was a difficult and painful one but she finished her story surrounded by the love of family and friends. Her family wishes to extend their gratitude to those who returned her love over the past few months, to Amedisys Hospice, and to the Magnolia House for helping to make her passing a peaceful one. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of her favorite charities, Saint Jude's Children's Hospital.

We encourage you to keep Betsy's memory alive by living a life full of love.