“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. You have lived your life in such a manner that when you died, the world cried, and you rejoiced.” We love you, Bettye, and we will miss you forever.
Bettye died peacefully in her sleep on September 16, 2018. She was born on March 16, 1918, to Harry M. Baker and Hallie Ashbaugh Baker, both of whom are now deceased. Bettye, along with her family and many friends, celebrated the joyful occasion of her 100th birthday in March of 2018.
Although she was named Hallie Rae at birth, she has always been known as Bettye. She became an important part of a ready-made family when she married Thomas Berisford Drisdale, Sr. on August 22, 1953, who predeceased her. That’s also when she became stepmother to Martha-Lee Drisdale (Blakley) and Thomas Berisford Drisdale, II. They are among her survivors, as well as grandchildren Kelly Blakley, Chad Cox, Sam Cox, Coy Drisdale, Derek Drisdale, Laura Massey, Amanda Sanders, Jennifer Sutton, and a whole gaggle of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Bettye was a member of Bellaire United Methodist Church and the Heritage Sunday School Class.
During her lifetime, she served God’s world and our community in immeasurable ways. Just a few of the service organizations she was involved with, and in which she held offices, include The Women of Rotary of Houston, United Methodist Women of Bellaire United Methodist Church, Chatty Crafters of Bellaire United Methodist Church, The Methodist Hospital Auxiliary, State Board of The Texas Association of Hospital Auxiliaries, Neighborhood Centers, and C.C.S.C. She was especially proud to have actively served as a volunteer in The Methodist Hospital Gift Shop for about 35 years.
So now she has moved on to doing God’s work in His Heavenly Kingdom. She was a creative human being and loved making gifts and unique articles to offer for sale at the Bellaire United Methodist Church annual Fall Festival Fundraiser. We can imagine that she’s now crafting artsy items in Heaven and finding her niche in Heavenly Society.
Bettye was a resident of Clarewood House for the last seven years and dearly loved her angels here on earth, the devoted staff of Clarewood, for their loving care and dedication. Her family is eternally grateful to them and also to the Methodist Hospital staff.
There will be a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at 2:00 pm the auditorium at Clarewood House, 7400 Clarewood Drive, Houston, Texas, 77036, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston, Clarewood House, Methodist Hospital Gift Shop-Medical Center, or the Women of Rotary.
Donations may be sent to Barbara Watler, Women of Rotary Treasurer, 23 Woodsborough, Houston, TX 77055 with a memo for the Bettye Drisdale Fund.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Hallie Rae "Bettye" Drisdale, please visit our Tribute Store.
