Betty Averitt

Betty Joyce Averitt, 81, widow of William H. Averitt, passed away February 12, 2012 in Brenham. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2012 at First United Methodist Church, with Pastors Calvin Beckendorf and Vicki Averitt officiating, with reception following in the fellowship hall. Following the reception, burial will take place in Prairie Lea Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Friday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Betty was born October 12, 1930 in Somerville to William Thornton and Martha Varena Archer Mays. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, hosting many family events, placing special priority on her family and friends. Her highest priority in life was her love of God and faith in His son, Jesus Christ as her Savior. She taught and modeled her faith and beliefs to her children and everyone she knew. Betty served on numerous church committees, as youth coordinator and as Sunday School teacher. She dearly loved organizing youth trips to the Appalachian Work Project during the seventies and led many youth activities, including retreats and summer camps. She was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on the Board, the United Methodist Women, and singing in the choir. She loved studying the Bible and teaching others. She worked for Weiner''s Dept. Store for many years, managing the Brenham store until her retirement in 1996. She loved people, loved life, and especially loved her husband Bill, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty will always be remembered by those who knew her for her passion, her energy and her big smile. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Arthur and Vicki Averitt of Austin, and Mike and Kathy Averitt of Temple; daughters Cheryl Danheim of Orange, daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Rob Moorman of Brenham; grandchildren: Christy Miller and husband Craig, James Danheim and wife Karen, Ryan Averitt and wife Julie, Paige Wilson and husband Kevin, Noel Wilds and husband Jack, Travis Averitt, Andrew Averitt, Joshua Averitt, Dustin Averitt, Jason Moorman, Ben Moorman, Kate Moorman, Will Moorman, Bethany Moorman and John Moorman; great-grandchildren: Stephen Miller, Olivia Danheim, Elizabeth Danheim, Austin Averitt, Thomas Wilds, and Abigail Danheim. Other surviving relatives include sister-in-law, Betty Dawn Averitt of Houston, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, William Hendrick Averitt; sisters, Nita Jones, Helen Evans; brothers William Mays, Robert Mays, and by her parents, William and Martha Mays. Serving as pallbearers are James Danheim, Ryan Averitt, Jason Moorman, Ben Moorman, Travis Averitt, Will Moorman, Andrew Averitt, Joshua Averitt, Dustin Averitt, and John Moorman. The family would like to acknowledge AMA Home Health Care for their care and support during Betty''s battle with Parkinson''s Disease, remembering special caregivers, Carolyn Fields and Henda Lott. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or to the National Parkinson''s Foundation, Inc. available at Parkinson.org, or call 1-800-327-4545. Funeral arrangements for Betty Averitt are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute in the online guestbook, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.