Bettye Recer Derden, 81, passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 7, 2013. Bettye was born on June 15, 1931, in Farmersville, Texas, to William and Nannie Recer. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She grew up in Climax, Texas with many friends and family. Bettye was married to Thomas Alvin Derden on August 5, 1955 and married for 51 years. They lived in Lancaster, Texas and raised four children there. She was retired from the City of Dallas Water Department after 38 years.
After the passing of her husband, she moved to Champions Cove Senior Living and enjoyed 5 years of new friends, many activities and especially enjoyed their various special holiday parties with family and friends. She was the core of her family and loved family events; she was a very special mother and will be missed by many. In her last few months here on earth, her life was enriched as she was cared for by her loving daughter, Tamara, along with Odyssey Hospice and special nurses, Johnnie, Amy, and Natalie along with the support of all of her children and family.
She is survived by her son, Thomas Bruce Derden and wife, Pam of Arlington, Texas; daughters, Pattie Cantu and husband, Rafael of Ferris, Texas and Tamara Maxey and husband, Earl of Waxahachie, Texas; daughter-in-law, Jenny Lane and husband, Mark, also of Waxahachie; grandchildren, Tarah, Taylor, and Dilynn Derden, Brittany and Katelyn Maxey, Jared and Jessica Cantu, and Amy Rendon; great-grandchildren, Jaxen, Cade, Gabriel, and Elaina; and sister, Lou Ella Anderson of Grand Prairie, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Thomas A. Derden, son, Michael Derden, brother, Bud Recer, sisters, Opal Bass, Argel Carr, and Audra Langley, and niece, Doris Gall.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas with Chaplain Denny Burris officiating.
Interment will follow at Van Winkle Cemetery in Climax, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home.