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Obituaries

Betty Jean Rasco Embry Dunn
Betty was born on December 18, 1927 to Jack Uriah Rasco and Ollie Mae Smith Rasco. Betty was the youngest and last survivor of 7 brothers and sisters. She was born on the family homestead in rural Clark Hill area near Fife in McCulloch County, Texas. McCulloch County is in the geographical center of Texas, Fife is north of Brady the county seat. The Rasco family were tenant farmers, growing cotton, grain sorghum and other crops. They lived off the land and swapped food and animals with friends, family and neighbors. Even as a young girl Betty was in the fields with her family helping pull cotton and tending to the crops and animals. The Rasco family moved to Arlington when Betty was in her teens buying their first home at the corner of S. Pecan Street and W. Mitchell Street. Betty finished High School while still living with her parents and working small jobs to help the family. George Rex Embry was attending the North Texas Agricultural College (now UTA) and living in Lipscomb Hall Dormitory which was across the street from the house on S. Pecan Street. He saw Betty and fell in love, they married in 1947 in Arlington and moved several times, before settling in Temple Texas to raise their family. George and Betty divorced in 1962. Betty was deeply devoted to raising her 3 daughters Georjeana, Beverly and Jo Beth and chose to be their sole provider. She went to work as an operator for Southwestern Bell. Betty moved back to Arlington for the support of her family, and bought the family a home on Lynda Lane. Georjeana met and married Mark Hardisty in Fort Worth, where they raised their family. Betty was able to share in the birth of all her grandchildren. Georjeana and Mark gave birth to 3 boys Christopher, Philip and Matthew. Christopher moved to Washington State, met and married Sarah, they have 3 sons and 1 daughter. Christopher and Sarah now reside in Fort Worth. Betty always knew that her grandson Philip was special, he was soft spoken and very sweet. Philip went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 5, 1991 at 18 years of age. Matthew met and married Bonnie, they reside in Fort Worth, and have 2 sons and 2 daughters. Georjeana and Mark are retired and enjoy spending quality time with their extended family. Beverly met and married Ronnie Workman and they lived in Fort Worth and Dallas, where they raised their family. Beverly and Ronnie gave birth to 2 girls Jennifer and Rachel and 1 son Joseph, all born in Texas. The family moved to Costa Mesa, Orange County California. Beverly and Ronnie divorced after all the children were adults. Jennifer met and married Ken Stechauner in California, they have 2 sons and 3 daughters. Rachel met and married Kilbe Horne in California, they have 2 sons. Joseph also lives in California and has not married and has no children. Beverly went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on September 15, 2004 at 53 years of age. Jo Beth married Allen Mason, divorced no children, and later married Lindsey Wilkes, divorced no children however has had many four legged children. Jo Beth always lived close to Betty and spent a good portion of life with her, they traveled often together on vacations, visiting family and friends across the country. Betty worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone in Temple and Arlington, then transferred to Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages as a clerk before retiring in 1995 after 45 years. Betty continued to live on the corner of Lynda Lane, where her oldest sister purchased the home next door on Donna Street. All the Rasco brothers and sisters helped to build on an independent apartment attached to the back of the home on Donna Street for their parents to live in. The family shared numerous gatherings with homemade ice cream for family and fellowship, birthday’s and holiday’s, reunions and celebrations of life together. A gate was put between the yards and a concrete path was laid. A hammock in the yard for Papa and a porch swing for Big Mama, the shared backyard was a blessing to all. Mr. and Mrs. Rasco lived very contently the remainder of their years next to their children. Another of Betty’s sister purchased a home on Oak Tree Lane which was on the next block over. Nelson Dunn bought the house across the street from Betty on Lynda Lane as a rental property. His children rented the house, when the children moved out, Nelson lived there. In the year 1986 Betty caught Nelson’s attention and he walked across the street to ask Betty for a date. They went to a dance, then another and another and fell in love. Nelson was very fortunate to get to know Betty’s mother and she could see her youngest daughter happily married to Nelson. Betty and Nelson married January 1, 1996. Betty and Nelson, sold both of their homes and moved into their home near Lake Arlington where Nelson resides today. During these last 34 years, Betty and Nelson continued to dance and they loved to travel. They were able to see the world together, sailing on cruises, flying overseas, and driving across the country and shared their lives with family and friends. Nelson has 3 children, two sons Mike and Jeff and one daughter Dee Ann. Jeff and Donna Dunn live in Trinity, Texas. Mike and Suzie Dunn live in Longview, Texas and Dee Ann Ray resides in Waxahachie, Texas. Nelson’s children loved and cherished Betty as if she was truly family. Betty was the tie that bound the Rasco, Embry and Dunn families together. Betty was a very strong and independent woman with a humorous quick wit. She kept in touch with almost all the members of her family, Nelson’s family and friends, everyone respected and loved her. She liked to keep in shape and
Condolence Messages

43 Responses

  1. There is not enough good words to describe our beautiful Betty. Such a beautiful Angel on earth. When Nelson and Betty moved on Enamor St. They brought happy times. Roger and I so enjoyed the times we sat talking to both.Nelson and Betty , She always had a funny answer to everything. Nelson took such good care of her. One of the ways he showed his love for her.
    Betty was always upbeat and took good care of herself going to Curves.
    Thank you Betty for being in our lives. We miss you so much. Thank you God for putting her in our life. .we love her and that won’t change.
    Roger and Louise Roberts

    1. Thank you for being such caring and loving neighbors and friends, Mother spoke of you often and always enjoyed your talks. I am so glad that your path’s crossed. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

  2. Jo Beth, what a beautifully written narrative obituary of your mother’s well lived life. She was an extraordinary women and I know you will miss her dearly. Here’s my favorite passage from the bible 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. For me this passage at each momentous phase of my life has given me comfort. Just knowing living and being me through what ever is happening, I can place it all in God’s hands because he loves me. God loves you Jo Beth, so place it all in his hands and he will continue to lift you up and carry you through. My condolences and prayers for you and your family through this transition of life. And may God bless you all with peace and comfort through this time.

    Your Friend,
    Carmen Jones

    1. Thank you my dear friend, I am so glad that we have become good friends. Thank you for you kind words and prayers.

  3. To All:
    Betty will be missed. The Best of the Rasco’s is gone but not forgotten. With all our love we ask for peace and comfort to the families ❤️❤️

    1. Thank you so much for always keeping in touch with Mother, she enjoyed all the calls and visits . Mother was very blessed as we all are, Peace be with you.

    2. Dale and family, Mom always looked forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your wonderful condolences.

  4. Betty was more than just a special aunt to me. We were the very best of friends and traveling companions for several years. Through each other we experienced adventures (skiing for one) and taking trips. She was my mother’s youngest sibling and loved life and people. I mourn the loss to her wonderful family and all of us that loved her but know she is extremely happy with her loved ones. Helen Jean (also her middle name) Fullerton

    1. Thank you Helen, I know you had something very special with Mother, you both were so lucky to have each other as relatives by birth and best friends by choice. We come from good gene’s and you two were the best of the Jean’s.

    1. Thank you Lauran, she did have a close relationship to Juanita and now they can rekindle that love. The Rasco family are all back together again and watching over us all.

      1. Betty you will be missed in the Dunn family. I will miss your joy for life and Mitch will for your peacan pies. Both of us loved you so much you are a very special person that touch our lives and you will be with us forever. We were very blessed to know Betty.

  5. Jo Beth, such a loving and heartfelt message about your mom. She sounds like an amazing woman. I can tell how much she is loved. I cannot imagine your pain but there is the knowledge that she has been called home and is healthy. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4. Love you my friend. Praying for you and your family.

  6. Betty’s sister Louise middle son Steve is my dad. My cousin Scott and I spent a ton of our weekends and summers at my grandmothers house on oak tree which was just around the corner from those two house on Donna where Betty and big mama lived. We were children of the 90’s and it seems like three life times ago way before iPads and iPhones. We would entertain each other and visit with the adults and the single person who brought so much entertainment to everyone was Betty! She made me feel loved and cherish! She brought so much happiness to everyone she knew. Her energy and excitement could not be matched Even by children as young as I was. Reading this brought back a flood of memories that I haven’t thought about in such a long time yet about those summers and weekends over there. She was my favorite relative and I actively sought her out at every family union and gathering. If the wealth of a person was determined by joy then she was the wealthiest person I knew but also the most generous by sharing all the joy that she could. In fact it was that same nature that made her want to see a shy woman she knew from work at SW Bell fixed up with her “favorite” nephew. That blind date worked out ok and my parents will celebrate their 40th anniversary this June. Betty had a way about her that was unlike anyone I’ve ever known. Time and time again mother would Describe her friend Betty as “she such a neat person” I could always tell she was never quite satisfied with those words being remotely worthy of the person she was until years later when I introduced Betty to the woman who would become my wife and after just one encounter Sarah told my mom that “she (Betty) was just the neatest lady”! Mom and I laughed as if Sarah had just stumbled into an inside joke. Betty was such a neat lady, she was so much more too. She was a fun kind of coo-key who show everyone the value of being able to laugh at yourself. The sorrow I feel in my heart from her passing is relieved by the way I imagine her sitting next to God telling him in detail about all her people down here and how lucky he will be to have us when we are called home and rejoin her someday!

    1. Thank you for your heartfelt condolence, I am so glad you have those wonderful memories, they are so very precious. She had such a strong family bond with everyone. I love reading what you said, it truly gives me Joy and Peace to know how loved she was by so many.

  7. Thank you for your heartfelt condolence, I am so glad you have those wonderful memories, they are so very precious. She had such a strong family bond with everyone. I love reading what you said, it truly gives me Joy and Peace to know how loved she was by so many.

  8. Knowing Betty since 1981, I know she had a zest for life. She did, indeed, have a quick wit. I’ll always remember her for the lovely and kind lady she was. My husband , Lou, and I would like to express our deepest sympathy to her family.

  9. With the passing of Betty, we close the chapter on the seven Rasco brothers and sisters. When I think about the cast of seven, I think about Betty being the cheerleader of the group. She always seemed happy and shared her love with everyone. She also had a way of keeping in touch with everyone. I think it takes a special person to do that and to share with all the family. I will miss her.

    1. Everyone of the original Rasco children were so special to all of us. We are so blessed to have been born into this wonderful family. All of us share wonderful memories that will forever be in our hearts.

  10. Betty & NelsonDear Jo Beth, Georjeana, and the Rasco/Embry families,

    The Dunn family has been so very blessed to have had Betty as part of our family for the past 34 years. Betty’s beauty (both inside and out), strength, faith, love for others, and humor, not only drew Nelson to her, but drew his children, their spouses, and grandchildren to her, as well.

    Looking through our family photos, Betty was there for birthdays, holidays, graduations, weddings, births, and deaths. Her strength during difficult times was always a blessing and her joy during happy times very contagious. We are so grateful that Nelson walked across that street and asked her for that first date. It changed all of our lives for the better.

    Please know that Betty was truly loved by our family and she is greatly missed. Thank you for sharing her with us.

    With love,
    Nelson and his family

    1. Thank you so much for opening your hearts and welcoming Mother into your lives, she did love you all. We cannot thank you enough for sharing your family and for caring for Mother. This last year has been a difficult one, thank you for all your help and support.

    2. Thank you so much for your wonderful memories of Mom. She was happiest when she was in the midst of family gatherings. Great picture by the way. May God bless you and yours

  11. JoBeth, what a lovely obituary of your mother’s life. She was such a sweet, caring lady and a joy to be around. With that warm personality to make you feel welcome. She always made me smile. My heartfelt sympathy to you and all the family. I know she will be missed.

    1. Thank you dear friend for your condolences, I am so glad you were able to meet my Mother. She always enjoyed meeting my friends and I she would often ask about you from time to time.

  12. Betty – what an inspiration you have been to me. I’ll miss you so much. I found many pictures of you and Nelson but cannot seem to add them here. While I searched in the computer picture folder, I remembered – it was wonderful. You and Dad had the same birthday, and the four of you spent many of them together. Nelson was so lucky to have found you! Love to your family and ours on whom you’ve shone your light and made many lives better. Your memory brings a happy heart and smile to my face.

    1. Betty you will be missed in the Dunn family. You had a passion to bring joy to everyone’s life. Plus the great peacan pies that you baked for Mitch and I which will be greatly missed also. Your joy for life made you a very special person whom we loved Our hearts go out to the family with much love and prayers. We love you Mitch and Kathy

    1. Thank you for your condolence, when I talked with the Embry’s it as if we just spoke yesterday. Mother made such an effort when we were young on keeping the family ties strong. I love and miss everyone of you and am so very glad we were able to speak again after all these years. Love you.

  13. Betty was a lovely lady to me, as well as a really good friend to me. Betty gave me strength from her words. We always had a conversation about to be thankful for the things we have in life. How the good Lord works in our lives to. Betty lived for the moment, she loved living. Betty’s laugh and sense of humor carried on in most conversations I had with her. Betty never gave up, she was a fighter in all ways of life. Betty and I talked most days, as much as we could.
    Her sister Louise lived right across the street from me. I had so much fun with Louise and getting to know Betty living around the corner from me. I will always hold those memories close to my heart.
    I will my friend so much in life today. Betty is not suffering anymore. She is at peace with God now.
    Jo Beth I will always remember Betty and your family and you. Your mom had so much love to give to everyone in life. This is a hard time for all of us today.
    Betty married my uncle Nelson, great memories of them living around the corner from me. My heart goes out to my Uncle Nelson. I hope all of us keep the all these wonderful memories of our Betty. God has already wrapped Betty in his arms. May we all find peace and follow Bettys footsteps of her positiveness and not giving up on life ever. God Bless my Uncle Nelson that loved her so much. May he find peace, and also Betty’s family find peace, as Betty is okay now, no suffering. Thank you dear lord for watching over my friend Betty.. Miss you Betty always.

  14. Betty was a beautiful light that would shine every where she went. She was a person you loved to be around. She will be greatly missed. My prayers and love go out to her family.

  15. Betty you will be missed in the Dunn family. Your passion is for joy and happiness to be in our lives. You gave that every time to this family. Plus your peacan pies will be missed by Mitch and I that you made for us. Betty you will always be in Mitch’s heart and mine and never forgotten. You were a very special person. Love to all the family. With much prayers , Mitch and Kathy

  16. Jo Beth I am sorry for your loss and your family. Betty was a very special in my life. We talked frequently about life and God. She was always so positive with me. We both laughed a lot with each other trying to solve the world problems.
    I got to Betty living across the street from her dear sister Louise, as I got to meet all of Louise’s grandchildren, met their Mother . I met Betty later as my uncle Nelson was living right across from each other. The two of them become one, as they married, and my relationship with Betty really came to be at that time.
    Betty knew how to live life and not let the past get in her way. She kepted going with the grace of God by her side through her journey on this earth.
    You Jo Beth and Georjeana, I heard her talk of you all the time. She loved her family so much in life. So hold your Mom close to your heart, as Betty hasn’t left you at all, she is in your heart forever.
    To my uncle Nelson, Betty made a difference in his life. I am so grateful that my uncle Nelson found Betty. She will be so miss with him, my uncle and our family who loved Betty with all of our heart.
    I miss Betty so much, as we talked often and we kepted up with each other as life allowed it.
    God bless Betty always, as this lady will definitely be missed in life.
    I know Betty is at peace now, as she isn’t suffering anymore. May God watch over Betty and her loved ones and friends that are left here on earth. Really we are the ones that need our good Lord now, to help us through our daily lives to ease our pain of loss.
    Miss you Betty, love you forever.

    1. Thank you Grace for your heartfelt thoughts and prayers. It was a blessing that the family lived so close together and shared each others lives.

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