Velma “Bettie” Elizabeth Nixon

Velma “Bettie” Elizabeth Nixon, 88, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. Bettie Nixon was born on November 22, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas, to James and Dorothy White. She was raised in Beaumont, where she developed a lifelong foundation of faith, discipline, and devotion to learning and service.

Bettie graduated from Beaumont High School in 1956. She attended the University of Texas at Austin in 1957, where she pledged the Delta Zeta sorority. She completed her education in 1959 at Lamar State College of Technology, where she continued her affiliation with the Delta Zeta sorority and later became an advisor to the chapter.

Bettie devoted her professional life to education and technology. She began her career as a school teacher, teaching data processing at Forest Park High School. She later became the head of technology for the Beaumont Independent School District, where she served for more than 45 years. Her long tenure reflected her dedication, leadership, and commitment to preparing future generations through innovation and service.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Bettie was a long-standing member of Beaumont’s First Baptist Church. She served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and group leader, co-taught the Young at Heart Sunday school class for many years, and diligently carried out her role as its treasurer.  For more than 30 years, she was also actively involved in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), where she served as class administrator.  In addition, Bettie hosted a home-group Bible study every other Sunday for many years. She was truly a faithful servant of the Lord.

Bettie was actively involved in numerous organizations throughout her life. She was a member of the Southeast Texas Investment Club, where she served as treasurer for many years. She attended the Lakeside Center, where she participated in Tai Chi and taught computer classes. She was also an active member of the Golden Triangle Republican Women. Bettie served as both member and president of the Beaumont Association of Retired Teachers and as secretary for Texas Retired Teachers District 5.

She closely followed politics, was an avid listener of Fox News, and had a strong passion for investing in the stock market—an interest in which she was notably successful.

Above all else, Bettie loved her family, her God, her church, and her friends.

Bettie was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bill White and her husband, Charles Ewing Nixon, as well as other loved ones who went before her. She is survived by her children: her son, David D. Reynard Jr. and his wife, Ellen G. Reynard; her daughters, Robyn Anne Kocot and her husband, Robert Kocot; Janiece Lynn Nixon Austin and her husband, Greg Austin; and Kathryn Ann Nixon Morse and her husband, Jack Morse. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Madisen Lilley George and her husband, Aaron George; Ashley Reynard Toups and her husband, Peyton Toups; Alexandra Nicole Cleveland; Joseph Dean Kocot; Mindy Saunders and her husband, Noll Saunders; Rachel Buckley and her husband, Lance Buckley; Wesley Morse; Lane Morse and his wife, Bayli Morse; Mary Caroline Austin; Tara Montgomery Austin; Jonathan David Austin; Olivia Kathryn Austin; and Reece Nixon Austin, as well as her great-grandchildren, Henlee George; Conor Cleveland; Lucas Cleveland; Danielle Cleveland; Mary Kathryn Saunders; Jackson Saunders; and Adalynn Buckley.

The family is very grateful to the management and staff at Calder Woods Retirement Community and Harbor Hospice, whose care and compassion enabled Bettie to live as peacefully as possible, and extends special thanks to Franny Mishaw for the comfort, kindness, and compassion she showed Bettie in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beaumont’s First Baptist Church Business Office, 3739 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or to a charity of one’s choice.

A gathering of Mrs. Nixon’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026, at Beaumont’s First Baptist Church, 3739 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.