After a life well lived with intentionality and enthusiasm, Betty Thurman Brewer Ford left this earth on June 28, 2021, from New Braunfels, Texas.   In the last years she battled valiantly with the thief of self, dementia.  Aware of the onset, even with the loss of memory and increasing confusion she engaged her demon with courage. A deeply instilled work ethic and a lifetime of resolution did not fall easily to her adversary. Seen by many as a force of nature, she harnessed desire, intelligence and determination early on.  From humble beginnings, during a time of war and economic depression, she focused on education, as exemplified in her family.

Early on she began the path that led her from a small town in Arkansas, McRae, population 600, to honors as an educator, retiring from A& I University in Kingsville, Texas.  From stellar performance academically and athletically in the small high school, she joined her brothers at the University of Arkansas at seventeen where she earned a bachelor's in education. Later in her career, she earned a master's from Texas A & I University and obtained an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Arkansas. Betty made that move possible by working from an early age. Walking a dusty or muddy mile to school or work, she earned the respect of her teachers and her employers. Her work ethic, her dependability and her focus paved the way to a full life.

A career educator, she began in the small southeastern town of Crossett, AR.  At the end of her career, she was inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame at Texas A&I, Kingsville, Texas, among other honors. She was instrumental in establishing the women's intercollegiate athletic program and served as the first women's basketball coach, 1968-72 and the first women's athletic director, 1972-76.  She was on the Athletic Council during her time at the University and Commissioner for the Texas Association of Intercollegiate Athletics also serving as president for the Texas Association of College Teachers. She served two terms on the Faculty Senate at A&I and for three years as treasurer for the Phi Delta Kappa.

After retirement she volunteered for the Hayes County Justice Center and Canyon Lake Action Center.  She was an active member of the community and the Cowboys for Jesus Church in Fischer, Texas.

Throughout her life, she valued family.  From growing up in a large, close family to becoming a proud grandmother, she honored the joys and responsibilities. She and Dale were always available to family in times of celebration and sickness and loss.

She was predeceased by her parents, James Coleman and Claudia Rogers Thurman; her brothers; Vernon (Bob), Herman (Hibe), Hilton (Red), and Hugh; sisters, Elizabeth, Geraldine, Margaret and Erma Lee; by beloved sisters by marriage, Beck, Jessie, and Junie; cherished aunts and uncles and a vast extended family.  She leaves a life's worth of friends.

The world will never be the same for her loving husband of 40 years, Dale Cleveland Ford; her son, Thomas Wilson Brewer and wife, Tanya of New Braunfels; her daughter, Beth Brewer Nicholas and husband Scott of Allen, Texas; Michael Ford and wife Ronna of Mont Belvue, Texas.

Pamela Kerr, her oldest daughter, predeceased Betty. Her husband, Gerald Kerr is of St. Louis.

Her youngest brother, Charles Hampton Thurman, of Cape Girardeau is her only surviving sibling. Unable to be with her, he walked the final miles with her and with Dale, spiritually and emotionally.

Beloved grandchildren: Jason Ellison (Lindsey), Spenser Nicholas, Stefanie Easton (Bryce), Jake Brewer: Trey Kerr (Ann), Grant Kerr, Mindy Ford (Mickey) and Matthew Ford (deceased). Great grandchildren, Easton Ellison, Harvey Rae Eaton, Gerald Kerr IV, Christopher Dominguez, and Cainan Eastman will miss the direction and encouragement of Betty.

Retiring, she and her husband Dale moved to a small ranch in the Texas Hill Country, near New Braunfels.  They designed and built the new home for their family.  Grand Betty and Papa Dale assumed the new designation as keepers of the hearth, a new place of celebration, gatherings and refuge.

Dale and Betty traveled extensively abroad and later after Dale's retirement explored the United States. They savored a life of experiencing new things and enjoying the simplest. There is a surround of joy at the place on Purgatory Road.

A celebration of this life will be held at Cowboys for Jesus Church on July 7, 8400 FM 32, Fischer, Texas.  Visitation will be set for 10:00 am and service at 11:00.  Burial, at 2:00 pm will be in City Cemetery, San Marcus.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Alexis Point, Wimberly and Memory Care of New Braunfels.  We greatly appreciate the unique mission and extraordinary personnel of Hospice.

The service will be streaming on FB love for those that can't attend.

Please go to Cowboys for Jesus website and click on the live fb area.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:  Cowboys for Jesus in Fischer or Alzheimers Association.