Betty Jane Marks Nellius

Betty Jane Marks Nellius went to live with the Lord on July 13, 2021.

Welcoming her will be her parents, Abram B. and Elizabeth Miles Marks; husband, Martin F. Nellius; brother, William Miles Marks; and sister-in-law, Margaret Jean Woods Marks.

Betty was born on May 30, 1925, in Beaumont, Texas, and lived a joyous, happy and creative life for 96 years.  Whether you called her Mrs. Nellius, Momma, G-Betty, Gee Gee Betty, Betty Boop, or just plain Betty, if you ever met her you remembered her smile, outgoing ways, positive attitude and Christian faith.

Betty Jane was educated in Beaumont schools. She enjoyed many school activities, from leading the first grade “Baby Band” to performing the lead role in the Senior Class Play as Elizabeth Barrett. Betty then decided to further her education by joining friends at Baylor University for 2 years. When the war forced the Baylor University Art Department to close, she transferred to the University of Texas, where she led her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha’s chorus in Song Fest, wrote and performed a one act musical for the University Sing Song, and was awarded the Outstanding Member Trophy.

In 1948, she married Dr. Martin F. Nellius, Jr. of Woodville, Texas. He practiced dentistry in Beaumont but involved his family in his true love: hunting and fishing.

Later, after earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Texas, Betty earned her Teacher’s Certificate at Lamar University. She taught art classes at Vidor High School for 12 years, where her students won numerous awards.

In her home studio, Betty taught many local high school students for numerous years. She conducted two student tours to Europe before beginning a picture-framing business: Beaux-Arts of Beaumont.

Many civic organizations also claimed her time. In her younger years, Betty Jane was the President of the Southeast Texas Dental Auxiliary, a docent of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, and a very active member of The Junior League of Beaumont.

Her family life was centered around Calder Baptist Church, where she became a Charter Member in 1947. As the church began to grow, Betty taught Sunday School to Elementary, Junior High, High School and College Students, as well as young married couples for thirty years. In recent years she was a co-teacher of an Adult Women’s Sunday School Class. Previously, she served as WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) President, and chairwoman of the Historical Committee for 65 years.

After the death of her husband, Betty moved to Calder Woods Retirement Community in Beaumont, Texas, where she lived for 5 years. In 2015, she moved to Buckner Villas Retirement Community in Austin, Texas. In 2020, Betty moved to Georgetown’s Legacy Assisted Living where she lived until her death after wonderful care at Fairway Vista in Round Rock, Texas, on July 13, 2021.

Her family consists of daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Nellius Stine and husband, Bob Stine of Georgetown, Texas; their three daughters, Stephanie and husband, Jay Mitchell; and children, Ellie, Jenna, Haley, and Jace of Austin, Texas; Merrick and husband, Jake Posey; and children, Cole, Molly, Whitman, and Madeline of Georgetown, Texas; and Amy and husband, Anthony Bruster and children Allie, Andrew, and Ames of Southlake, Texas; and son, Martin F. Nellius III of Arlington, Texas.

A gathering of Mrs. Nellius’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Scholarship Fund at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or Fairway Vista Assisted Living and Hospice Care, 1019 Hidden View Place, Round Rock, Texas 78665.

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