Betsy Jo Horton “Watson”

Betsy Jo Horton, 87 of Flower Mound, Texas, formerly of Lubbock, Texas, passed peacefully on October 11, 2024. Betsy was born on October 3, 1937, in Odessa, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert Curtis Watson and Ruby Lillian Oswald Watson.

Betsy graduated from Monterey High School in 1956. She attended Texas Tech University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1984. She later received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Maryland.

Betsy married Donald Wayne Horton in 1956 and the two were married for 60 years prior to Don’s passing in 2016. The couple lived in Alaska and Colorado before settling in Lubbock in 1962. She moved to Flower Mound in 2019.

Betsy was a Christ follower and dedicated much of her time and energy to serving God. Her life was marked by fullness, joy, love, and purpose. She shared these qualities with her family, friends, and anyone else she encountered. Although she began her career later in life, she found her true calling in education, teaching first-grade elementary school children for more than 25 years. Teaching took her from Lubbock to Department of Defense Schools in Okinawa, Japan, and Ramstein, Germany before returning to Lubbock to complete her long career. Betsy was a gifted educator who cared deeply for every child she taught. Her love and dedication allowed her to connect with and nurture all students, bringing out the best in each one.

The mother of four thankful children; Betsy is preceded in death by her son Dan Horton. She is survived by Dan’s son Daniel and his wife Megan and their daughters Emma and Ellasyn Horton. She is also survived by her sons: Gary Horton, his wife Celia, son Garrett and his wife Lecil; Roy Horton, his wife Amanda and their children, Jacob, Joshua and his wife Carrigan, and Bailey; and daughter Gena Mann, her husband Kirk and their children and grandchildren, Ryan and wife Stephanie and sons Noah and Ezra, Kyle and wife Rachel and son Elijah; and daughter Rachel. Betsy was also preceded in death by her sisters; Joyce Rickert, Janelle Pierce, Antoinette Moyers, Patsy Narmour, and brother Wayne Watson.

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