Betty Joyce Sumner

Betty Joyce Sumner, 93, passed away in her hometown of Itasca on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, February 22, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church in Itasca with Rev. Diane Barnes officiating. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 21, 2020 at Marshall and Marshall Chapel in Hillsboro.

Betty was born on August 14, 1926, to Will and Eva Sumner of Itasca, the 8th of 9 children. She attended Itasca schools and graduated from Itasca High School in 1943. She then attended the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, in 1947. Although her plans had been to go into something in the field of music or broadcasting, God had a different plan for her – to be a schoolteacher.

Betty taught in Sweetwater, Odessa, Saudi Arabia, and Itasca for 45 years. Although she never married or had any children of her own, considered her many students her children. She also worked as a Sunday School teacher and youth group sponsor at the First Presbyterian Church of Itasca.

Her service to God also included singing in the choir and later directing the choir of First Presbyterian for many years. She served as an Elder, was active in the Women of the Church and has Honorary Life Membership in that organization and served on the committees. Even as recently as a year ago, she was helping lead the singing at the church and attending two different Bible studies on Sunday.

Betty loved to travel. Her position as a teacher in Saudi Arabia allowed her to see much of the world. She said that she has been to every continent, except Australia, and has ridden every form of transportation, including a camel.

But for Betty, there was no place like home and family. Her awards are too numerous to mention, but she did serve on the Itasca City Council and Chamber and started the Revitalization Committee in Itasca. For many years, and until recently, she taught an exercise class for senior citizens. With the help of the Itasca school, she worked to make November 11th a time to show our veterans how much we appreciate them.

The family wishes to thank Homestead Nursing and Rehabilitation of Itasca and Providence Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to Betty.  We would also like to wish a special thanks to Donita Strite for the love and care she had given Betty the past year.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Burnham (Monk), Rotan, Dump, Hatton, Edwin, John (Jack), and Garvin. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Louise Sumner McCauley; her nephews, Donald Sumner, David Sumner, Gary Sumner; and nieces, Sandra Sumner and Jan Sumner Whitfield.

She is survived by her nephew, Hatton Sumner and wife, Linda; and nieces, Debra Scott and husband, David, Kathy Fowler and husband, Brian, Laurie Miles, and Diane Barnes and husband, Charles. She is also survived by numerous great and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Itasca, P.O. Box 6, Itasca, TX 76055.

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