Betty Lee LaPrelle's Obituary
Betty Lee LaPrelle passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the age of 90 in Plano, Texas where her final care was provided. Betty was born September 15, 1928 to the late Clifford and Aileen Jones in Dallas, Texas. She spent her childhood in Jackson, Mississippi. She often fondly recollected that her family’s home was so close to the zoo that she could hear the lions roaring. As a teenager, she belonged to E.N.C., which stands for “Entre Nous Coquettes” or “Among Us Flirts.” Betty graduated from Central High school in 1945. After high school, she attended The Mississippi Southern College where she studied education and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1950. After college Betty’s work was varied and exciting. She was employed by Southern Pacific Railroad as a railroad hostess. She also worked as a hostess at The Zodiac Room in downtown Dallas during Helen Corbitt’s tenure. Additionally, because of her height and natural beauty, she modeled for advertisements for Neiman Marcus. In the summer of 1956, at a volleyball game sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Dallas, she met her future husband, James LaPrelle. They married three months later. Betty and Jim were long-time residents of Lake Highlands in Dallas and raised their three children there. In addition to caring for her family, Betty was a dedicated teacher. She began teaching in Dallas ISD and spent the majority of her career teaching in Garland ISD. During her career she belonged to numerous committees and completed graduate coursework at Texas Women’s University and Southern Methodist University. While teaching and raising her family, Betty was a caregiver for her mother and numerous relatives. After retiring in the late 1980s, Betty and her husband worked for the Dallas Convention Center. Betty especially enjoyed the glitz and glamour of the Mary Kay Seminars that took place annually at the Convention Center. In her spare time, Betty enjoyed shopping for bargains at Horchow, walking her dogs, chatting with her neighbors, having lunch at The String Bean Restaurant, and spending time with her family. Betty was an energetic, intelligent, flirtatious person with a sly wit who will be missed by all who knew her.Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of fifty-six years, James Porter LaPrelle, her sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Ed Rankin, and her nephew, Richard Rankin. She is survived by her children, Tim (Tanya) LaPrelle, Doug (Tonja) LaPrelle and Liz (Jeff) Rooney; niece, Jeanette Rankin; grandchildren, Amber (Kevin) O’Reilly, Alexander (Tien) LaPrelle, Casey (Phillip) Nowell, Dallas (Allison) LaPrelle, Dakotah LaPrelle, Eric (Kristy) Rooney, Philip Rooney, Natalie Rooney; great-grandchildren Sophia O’Reilly, Abigail O’Reilly, Colson Rooney, Isabella LaPrelle, and James LaPrelle.Betty’s family would like to thank the staff at Harbor Chase, Alicja Kuskowska, and Gilda Johnson for their care and kindness.A Graveside Service will be held Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 11:00 am at Restland Memorial Park, Garden of Last Supper.
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