Betty Jean Stevens

Betty Jean (Burleson) Stevens, age 84,passed away at Groesbeck LTC on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, which was a little over one month following the death of her beloved husband of sixty years, Bennie Stevens. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 2, 2017, at the Pavilion in Faulkenberry Cemetery, with Brother Richard Williams officiating. Her granddaughter, Tracy Thomas will also speak. Betty was born June 19, 1932 in Groesbeck to William Harvey Burleson and Nellie June Hudson Burleson. She grew up in Groesbeck, graduating from Groesbeck High School in the Class of 1949. After she was out of school she worked a few years at the Mexia State School. Sixty years ago, she was united in marriage with Bennie D. Stevens and they made their home in Groesbeck the rest of their lives. She helped Bennie when needed at Stevens’ Grocery. She was a loving wife and mother and grandmother, and kind to everybody. She was a member of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck all her life. After Bennie retired from the grocery business, they traveled to 49 states in their RV, sometimes with friends and family, especially with her sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Bill. Sometimes they would be gone for months at the time. Betty always said they met the nicest and friendliest people at RV camps. They also enjoyed going to South Texas, and fishing at Rockport with Pat and Bill. Betty and Bennie were a truly devoted couple. She was only gone from home a couple of nights when Don’s children were born in Florida, and to Huntsville to be with Vicki when her children were born. But she insisted she had to get back home to Bennie. She said her world and her happiness had ended with his death on April 28th. and although she tried to remain active the next few weeks, a serious fall breaking her back a couple of weeks ago was too hard to overcome. She is now at peace and pain-free and with her beloved Bennie. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, David Stevens; sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Bill Hudson, brother and sister-in-law, Wyman and Nell Burleson; sister-in-law, Barbara Burleson and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Forrest of Lorena; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Kim Stevens of Groesbeck; 7 grandchildren and their spouses: Jeff and Sunnye Forrest of Lorena, Tracy and Jason Thomas of South Lake, Dr. Michael and Amy Stevens of Keller, Curtis and Heather Stevens of Fate, Brittany and Jeff McDowell of Fairfield, Keith Brown of Bremond, and Kaytee and Jason Vincent of Groesbeck; 11 great grandchildren: Ragan, Jett, Taylor, Tiffany, Braden, Reid, Gage, Bailey, Beckett, Cason, Jace, and one more, Olivia - due in July. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Joann Burleson of Waxahachie, and brother, Danny Burleson of Houston, and nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Groesbeck LTC, Texas Home Health Hospice, and Chaplain Jon Honea, for the exceptional care given to both Bennie and Betty during their illness.