Betty Turner

Betty Turner, 93, of Beaumont, died Friday, June 14, 2024. She was born on February 20, 1931, in Beaumont to Hattie Luke Collier and Frank Collier.

Betty graduated from South Park High School in 1948.  In her younger years, she attended South Park Church of Christ.  It was here that she met the love of her life, James ‘Eddie’ Turner, one Sunday when he attended with a friend.  They married in 1949 and had 4 children by the time Betty turned 25.  Betty also was a legal secretary with Orgain, Bell & Tucker for many years.

She was a kind and loving mother, and never refused her childrens’ requests to ride bikes, fly kites, have backyard picnics or play games.  Betty always thought of her family first.  She and Eddie made sure to instill in their children a love for the Lord and emphasized the importance of having a relationship with Him.

Betty’s warmth and love extended not only to her children, but also to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  ‘Meme’, as she was affectionately called, loved to play Monopoly with them.  This was usually accompanied by a glass of milk and Oreos.  Betty never considered herself a ‘good cook’, but instead referred to her meals as ‘country cooking’.  This was disputed by every member of the family, who always craved a ‘Meme meal’.  Every family gathering could not be complete without her famous chocolate sheet cake.  An avid gardener, she had a green thumb and maintained a beautiful yard full of flowers (and tomatoes)!  She held respect for all life, whether it was feeding the birds on her driveway or saving spiders that had made their way inside the house.

We were all blessed to have her for 93 years, and will miss her wit, humor, selfless nature and loving presence.  We are at peace knowing that she was a faithful servant of God, and that He is welcoming her with open arms into her new heavenly home.

Survivors include her children, Gerald Wayne Turner and his wife, Allison, of College Station; Terry Gonzales of Beaumont; Larry Turner and his wife, Myra, of Lumberton; and Patty Fracht and her husband, Carey, of Brookeland; grandchildren, Gina McConnell and her husband Reg; Erin Tew and her husband, TJ; Catherine Turner; Nathan Gonzales; Philip Gonzales and his wife, Jennifer; Luke Gonzales and his wife, Cleo; Angie White; Jennifer Turner Nichols and her husband, Luke; Danielle Boudreaux and her husband, Nick; Adam Fracht and his wife, Monica; Jordan Fracht; and Haylee Knauth and her husband, Patrick; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Edward Turner; and brother, Marion Collier.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meadows Church of Christ, 9195 Dishman Road, Beaumont, Texas 77713.

A gathering of Mrs. Turner’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.