Palestine High School Alumni Association

Palestine High School Alumni Association, Palestine, Texas

Betsy Kay Stites 1957

08 / 17 / 1939  –  09 / 11 / 2005

A celebration of life for Betsy Kay Stites, 66, of Longview will be 3 PM Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at the First Christian Church in Longview with Rev. Jim Lewis and Rev. Michael Macey officiating. Betsy leaves many loved ones and friends with the image of a smiling, giving and vibrant person. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Betsy passed away Sunday night in a local nursing home.

She was born in Tyler, Texas on August 17, 1939 to Dr. and Mrs. R.H. Kay. She grew up in Palestine, Texas graduating from Palestine High School. She attended Mary Baldwin College and graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Speech Therapy. She also earned a Masters Degree in education from SFA. In her career she was affiliated with the Dallas ISD, Longview ISD and the Harrison County Co-op in Hallsville.

She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, Longview Junior Service League and First Cbristian Church; where she taught Sunday School for ten years.

Late in her career, Betsy volunteered at Chrisman Preparatory School and as a result, she was recognized as“A Point of Light” by President George H.W. Bush. She was also honored by the Longview City Council with a “Betsy Stites Day”. These were very special times for Betsy. Betsy’s fami1y, students and friends were a blessing to her. She truly loved them all. She was and will be remembered as an act of kindness to many.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by Bill Stites; daughters Susan Pinson and her husband Chuck, and Elizabeth Mitchell and her husband Jay, all of Longview; grandchildren Molly Mitchell, Will Mitchell and Libby Mitchell all of Longview; brother Hunter Kay of Franklin, Texas; and Neilson Rogers of Sherman, Texas.

Memorials may be made to: Chrisman Preparatory School, 2455 N. Eastman Rd., Longview, Texas 75605, or to Alzheimer’s Alliance, 3613 S. Broadway Suite 401, Tyler, Texas 75701.

Source: Longview News-Journal 09-13-2005