Betty Rice Lynch of Melissa, Texas passed away on March 30, 2022 at the age of 88. She was born an only child on November 24, 1933 to Cincie E. and Ruth Elorn (Goolsby) Rice in Colbert, Oklahoma. The small family eventually moved to Texas, where Bettye graduated from Denison High School and later SOSU. She married Col. Harold D. Lynch “Pa” on April 7, 1961 in Denison, Texas and led a very happy and adventurous life with him as he made his way through the ranks to Full Bird Colonel of the United States Army. When “Pa” retired from the military in 1991, the pair continued with their travels around the world. He passed away in 2008. Bettye “Ma” was the matriarch of the family and was very proud of her brood. She loved to tell stories of her experiences in travel and life. She was fortunate enough to have been a part of three consecutive “Five Generation” photos. Bettye was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by three children, Karen Russell and husband, Jim of Melissa, Texas, Jeff Mallow of Denison, Texas, and Susan Cartlege and partner, Melissa Kennedy of Georgia; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and the newly arrived great great grandchildren.
Bettye was preceded in death by her parents; husband, of 47 years and best friend(her words), Col. Harold Lynch; and grandson, Judd Hunt.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 4, 2022 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North in Allen, Texas. The service will be livestreamed at https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/bettye-rice-lynch. After the service, the recorded livestream will be available for viewing at the same link location. Interment will be held at a later date at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.