Betty Keel

Betty Jean (Nichols) Keel, 91, passed away of chronic heart disease on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 6:45 am after a 4-day stay at LGMC in ICU. Betty was born to Ira Coleman & Flora Nichols in Littlefield, Texas on February 27, 1928. She grew up in Comanche, Texas where she met the love of her life, Don V. Keel. They eloped to Dublin, Texas on July 1, 1945, and would have celebrated their 74th Wedding Anniversary this year.

Together, Betty and Don moved to many cities while Don worked in the oil industry, and finally to Fort Worth, Texas in 1958 where Don worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed. After having and raising their 3 children (Gary, Kathy, and Johnette) to school age, Betty began teaching typing, shorthand, bookkeeping and English at the Fort Worth Business College in downtown Fort Worth. After 3 years, Betty began working as a Secretary for Texas Department of Transportation in their Right of Way Department for 30 years.

With a lot of “sweat equity,” Betty and Don built an underground home made of square concrete domes on Lake Granbury in Acton, Texas. After both of their retirements, and almost 30 years in their beloved home, they sold it and moved to The Point at Waterview where they have been going on 6 years — and taught “42” and enjoyed living and making friends in happy retirement.

Betty and Don attended many Baptist churches across Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, ending at Acton Baptist Church when they moved to Granbury.

Betty is survived by her beloved husband, Don V. Keel, of almost 74 years, and their 3 children and their families:
Gary Don Keel and wife, Ann, 3 children, 2 grandchildren;
Ira Kathryn Luper, 2 children, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren;
Johnette Keel Williams and husband, Ted, 3 children, 12 grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Wiley’s Funeral Home in Granbury on Monday, May 20, 5-7 pm. Funeral services for Betty Jean Keel are planned for Tuesday, May 21, at Acton Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, interment will be at Acton Cemetery.

Betty’s family would like to say a special “Thank You” to the LGMC ICU Nursing Staff for the professional, tender, and loving care they provided to her and her family members prior to her death — Jennifer, Katie, Chanel, Kathy, Sharon, and others — “Thank You!”