Elizabeth "Betty" Capshaw

Elizabeth Louise (Betty) Capshaw

On December 24, 2020 Betty Capshaw, aged 97, passed away in Pecos, Texas, while a resident of the Focused Care Facility of Pecos.

Elizabeth Louise Harrison was born in Kenefic, Oklahoma, on August 11, 1923, to Maud Kate and Raymond Harrison. She grew up surrounded by a large, extended family. Even though it was during the Great Depression, she always considered her childhood to be rich and happy. She attended high school and college in Durant, Oklahoma. Betty was proud of the Choctaw Heritage she shared with her father who was an original enrollee of the tribe. She had fond memories of attending tribal events with him as a child.

In December, 1941, she married her childhood sweetheart, William Morgan (Pete) Capshaw. They were married for 69 years until Pete's death in 2010. They had two daughters, Jean Urbanski of Salem, Oregon and Joan Capshaw of Pecos. She also considered her dear friend, Terri Morse, to be a member of her family.

In 1958, the family moved to Pecos where they were active members of the First United Methodist Church and raised their two daughters, both of whom are still active and devoted church members. At her death, she was the oldest member of the Pecos First Methodist Church.

Once her daughters were in school, Betty returned to college to complete her BA and MA in Education and Library Science. She taught and was the librarian at Austin Elementary and Crockett Middle School until she was seventy years old. She continued to substitute until she was eighty.

Betty is fondly remembered by her many friends and former students. She was very proud of her three granddaughters, Katherine of San Francisco, California, Elizabeth, her namesake, of Pray, Montana, and Mary Margaret of Maui, Hawaii. Her faithful canine companion, Macy Miller kept her company at Pecos Nursing Home.

The family would like to thank Maranna Deaton and her staff at Pecos Nursing Home and the Nursing  and CNA staff of Focused Care for their loving care and kindness.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, December 30, 2020, Mt. Evergreen Cemetery at 1:00 pm. All friends are invited.