Born Elizabeth Dee Willis on Thursday, October 18, 1934 in Dallas, Texas and then after a little over 91 years, was called home to see Jesus this past Wednesday, January 28, 2026 in Harlingen, Texas.

Betty is reunited in heaven with: Paul and Eura Willis (parents), Virginia Sue "Sue" (sister), and Kenneth Wayne Hackney (her husband of almost 50 years). It seemed like she would have outlived all of us – but is survived by: her siblings Magaret Ann "Marna" (sister); William Paul "Bill" Willis Jr (brother); five children, Deanna (husband Tim, children Tiffany and Sam), Ken (children Kenna and Bo), Richard (wife Kelly, children Elise and Preston), Carl (wife Denise, children Julie and Haylee), and Dawn (husband Marcos, children Travis and Alyssa); six great grandchildren and numerous wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.

Betty was raised in Lubbock, Texas where she attended First Baptist Church and graduated from Lubbock High School. She continued her education at Mary Hardin-Baylor College where she earned her bachelor's degree in teaching in 1957. She married Wayne Hackney on June 29, 1959 and shortly after they moved to Mountain Home, Idaho, where Wayne was stationed in the Air Force. After moving back to Lubbock for a brief stint, they found their way to and planted their roots in Ennis, Texas in 1960. They were members of Tabernacle Baptist Church since 1961 where she taught Sunday School.

She started teaching at Stephen F. Austin Elementary in 1975 until retirement in 1995. During that time, she went back to school and earned her master's degree in education from Texas Women's University. Specializing in remedial reading, she was a teacher who loved her students and loved helping them overcome learning obstacles so they could achieve their fullest potential. She thoroughly enjoyed her fellow teachers and school staff and counted them more as friends than coworkers.

She really loved teaching her students, or as she always called them, "her other kids".

Betty volunteered her time with the United Way, EISD Elementary UIL competitions, Golden Circle Board, EISD Band Boosters, and as a Girl Scout leader.

In her retirement, Betty enjoyed trips to see her grandchildren and seeing the sites wherever her children had moved to at that time. Those two things were her most important and favorite things to do. Oh, and she absolutely took pure joy in, yes…reading.

Viewing will be at J.E. Keever Mortuary, 408 N Dallas Street, Ennis, Texas on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1pm with service at 2pm followed by burial at Myrtle Cemetery, under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. Pallbearers are Bo Hackney, Preston Hackney, Travis Barnes, Trey Willis, Clint Park, Marcos Rodriguez, Nathan Bauer, and Greg Hobbs.

The family would like to invite anyone who would like to hang and maybe share a "Betty story" to join them at 3pm for a Celebration of Life at Ruston Cattle Company, 3701 South Interstate 45 in Ennis.

Submitted by family