Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Reed, 87, passed away September 10, 2017 in Kaufman, TX. She was born August 5, 1930 to William David Lawellin and Ethel Mildred (Shorter) Lawellin in Goltry, OK. She was the second of four daughters. In her younger years, Betty followed in her father’s footsteps of performing at local community fairs. He walked a tightrope, and at the age of 2, she performed solo rings and trapeze acts. She graduated from Goltry High School in 1948, and from Enid Business College in 1949. She worked for a while at Zales Jewelers. She married Harold Reed Sr in 1949. They had 3 children, but one died at birth. Harold Sr was an airplane mechanic for the United States Air Force, so they traveled extensively. Betty worked as civil service at each of the USAF bases. They set up homes in OK, TX, KS, NV, Guam, and MT. They divorced in 1964, and Betty moved to Wichita, KS, then to Dodge City, KS in 1966 where she worked as a claims rep for the Social Security Administration. She married Lee Verhey in 1973, they divorced in 1974. She retired in 1985, after serving 25 years with the Federal Civil Service.

Betty had been an active member of the First Baptist Church in Dodge City, which included playing piano for children’s church for several years. She and her children would even walk to church in the snow when it was too deep to drive. She was also an active member of the Dodge City Singles club, serving as an officer for several years.

When her health started to decline in 2000 she moved to Mesquite, TX to live with her daughter and family. They all then moved to Kaufman, TX in 2002, where she resided until she had several major health issues that resulted in her needing more continual medical attention than her daughter could pro-vide. She moved into Sunflower Park Healthcare Center in 2015.

Betty was preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Ann Reed; her parents, sisters Helen Lee Stevens and Billie Jayne LeForce.

She is survived by her two children Harold J Reed and wife Joyce of Mobile, AL, and Judy Cashwell and husband Mark of Kaufman, TX; 4 grandchildren, Andrew Reed and wife Whitney of Houston, TX, Angela Reed of McKinney, TX, Jacob Cashwell and Cheyenne Cashwell both of Kaufman, TX, and one great-grandchild, Jack Reed of Houston, TX. She is also survived by her sister Ethel Fern Hildinger of Pryor, OK, and 9 nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, September 30, 2017 at Karoma Cemetery in Goltry, OK

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