Betty Rose Wilkinson

Betty Rose Wilkinson, 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.

Betty was born on May 30th, 1928, to Trula and Lyon Francis in Phoenix, Arizona. The family moved to El Paso the following year. As a young adult she enrolled at Texas Western College and her junior year she met Jack Wilkinson on a blind date. The two were married on Dec. 23rd, 1951. They moved to Corpus Christi where their son Jack Junior, “JJ,” was born. Betty, Jack and JJ moved to San Angelo and spent several years with good friends, colleagues and lots and lots of fishing, a pastime she truly enjoyed. In 1960 the family moved back to El Paso, their daughter Zella was born in 1961, and the family established a life in El Paso.

Betty’s professional career was that of a teacher. Her first job was in El Paso at Villas Elementary. She taught in Corpus Christy and San Angelo, but the majority of her career was at Canutillo Elementary, in Canutillo Texas. She earned her master’s degree in the seventies and went on to become a reading specialist and Assistant Principal. Betty ended her career at Villas, where her journey in education began. Upon retirement, she worked with the student teacher program at UTEP for 9 years. Betty was an extraordinary teacher, gifted as an instructor and intuitive to the needs of her students and colleagues. She was involved in the State Reading Association, the International Reading Association and Delta Kappa Gama, a professional society for women educators.

Betty and Jack traveled the world, had fun and lived life to its fullest. Jack said that the smartest thing he ever did was marry Betty Rose.

Betty was a wonderful mother. She loved her children and encouraged them to find their place in this world. She was an extraordinary grandmother and her relationship with each of her grandsons was special. Betty loved, encouraged and bragged about them with zeal. She adored her great grandchildren and enjoyed hearing about their lives as well as passing on her wisdom. Betty had so many friends throughout her long life and was loved by all.

Betty is survived by her son Jack Herbert Wilkinson Jr, his wife Kim Grant Wilkinson and their son Grant Wilkinson and his wife Fallon Wallace Wilkinson, daughter Zella Wilkinson Devlin, her husband Gary Devlin and their sons, Matthew Devlin, (wife Megan Devlin and children Jacob and Ava) Christopher Devlin and Zachary Devlin. Betty is also survived by her brother Robert Francis and his two sons, Robert Francis Junior, Ron Francis and their families.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Saint Marie Goretti Church, Arlington TX. www.svdpsmg.org