Betty Lou Garrett's Obituary
Betty Bentley Garrett passed away peacefully on Feb. 16, 2016. Betty was a devoted wife and mother, and was active in all the Methodist churches in which her husband, Dr. James Ernest Garrett, served as pastor. Born in Monroe, LA, on April 25, 1935, during her childhood, she lived in various towns in Louisiana, where her father, the Rev. Robert Mack Bentley, also served as a Methodist minister, including Bunkie, Pineville, Shreveport, and New Orleans. Betty completed her B.A. in Speech and Drama in 1957 at Centenary College in Shreveport, in addition to spending a year in attendance at Newcomb College in New Orleans. At Centenary, she was part of the Maroon Jackets, an elite group of leaders and ambassadors. Later, after receiving the prestigious John Schissler Scholarship (one of only four given nationally), she moved to Dallas to complete a Masters of Religious Education at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in 1959. While at Perkins, she worked briefly at Oak Lawn Methodist Church. After graduating, she then worked as youth director under the Rev. Tom Shipp at Lovers Lane Methodist Church, Dallas, until 1960. On November 19, 1960, she married James Ernest Garrett in Dallas, at Lovers Lane Methodist Church, after they met on the steps of Bridwell Library at SMU in 1959. During their married life, Betty lived and served alongside her husband in Methodist churches in Texas, including churches in Kaufman, Commerce, Grand Prairie, and Wichita Falls (where her husband was Superintendent of the Wichita Falls District of the North Texas Conference). During their time in Commerce they also had two children: Dr. James Ernest Garrett, born in 1966, now a professor of finance at Arizona State University, and Bentley Todd Garrett, born in 1969, now a professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at Dallas. Later on, they would go on to serve at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas (1977-87) and Polk Street United Methodist Church in Amarillo (1989-2004), both of which her husband was Senior Pastor. With a penchant for dramatic singing, Betty always loved to entertain members of the congregation when given the opportunity, and was often accompanied by her husband on the piano. As many of her friends will attest, “Hard Hearted Hannah,” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” were among the favorites of her repertoire. Betty moved back to Dallas in Dec. 2004 to retire with her husband, where she lived for the remainder of her life. She is survived by her husband, sons James Garrett, Jr. of Tempe, AZ, and Bentley Garrett, of Dallas, TX, and a brother, Robert Mack Bentley, Jr., of Longview, TX. A Memorial Service will take place at 2:00 PM, March 8, in the sanctuary of University Park United Methodist Church, 4024 Caruth Blvd., Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CC Young Senior Care/Senior Living, the music program of University Park United Methodist Church, or any charity of your choice.
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