Elizabeth "Betsy" Ann Gerdes

On June 17, 2023 Elizabeth “Betsy” Ann Billups Gerdes passed from this life into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior. Services will be at St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday, June 30th at 10:00 am and a reception to follow at the Parish Activity Center

One of the pastimes Betsy enjoyed most was reading novels that had history woven into the story line.  Little did she know that she, in fact, was writing a history novel for her family and friends to remember her by.  When we look back at the story of her life, we see a history of love woven into each chapter.  In the 13^th chapter of 1^st Corinthians, the Apostle Paul described to us what a story of love should look like.  It should be filled with patience, kindness, acceptance, gratitude, and humility.  A life of love will keep no record of wrongs and will put the needs of others first. The life of Betsy is a beautiful reflection of the love he spoke of.

Her story began on November 28^th 1937 when she was born to John Edan Billups and Clara Ruth Jackson Billups in Refugio, Texas. In the first chapter of her life, titled Daughter and Sister, she began showing her parents and her brothers, Robert “Bub” Boyd and John E. “Buddy” Billups the love in her heart. As she grew older her cousins and friends became the second chapter in her life. Her love brought joy and happiness to all of her family and friends.  It was also in the second chapter of her life when she began her relationship with God. She put her faith and trust in Jesus early in her childhood and faithfully followed Him to the end of her story.

Shortly after high school she began writing the next chapter of her life as Wife and Sister-in-Law.  She met Roger Gerdes at a dance hall in the neighboring town of Woodsboro.  They soon began dating and were married on January 25^th, 1956.  Roger was in the Air force at the time and they lived in Illinois, Clovis N.M., and Sinton, Texas before finally settling in Los Fresnos, Texas in 1965.  During this chapter she became a beloved sister-in-law to her brother’s spouses, Iva Owens and Sandra Weeks, and to Roger’s seven sisters and three brothers.

Not long afterwards she began writing one of the favorite chapters of her life. In her title role as Momma the love in her heart was on full display. As mother to Denise, Debra, Diana, Drew, and Rusty she always placed their needs above her own and showered them with unconditional love.

In the fifth chapter of her life her faith and love were tested when she became a single working mom. The Apostle Paul said “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” In this chapter of her life, she demonstrated all of those qualities of love. During those years she also embraced her children’s spouses as her own.  She became like a second “Momma” to her sons-in-law Bill Boyett (Denise), Bruce Allen (Diana), Lee Norris (Debbie) and Kent Hofstad (Drew).

The sixth chapter in her life began when she became a grandmother to Melissa Carey. Melissa was followed by Sulli Norris-Cole, Clayton Allen, Mia Hofstad, Hayes Norris, Paige Hofstad, and Will Gerdes. Later in this chapter the spouses of her grandchildren, Jamie Carey (Melissa), Kyle Cole (Sulli) and Amelia Allen (Clayton) were also able to experience the love of Granny Gerdes.  After being Grandma and Granny Gerdes for many years she picked up the name GeeGee when she became great-grandmother to Ashely Carey and Jackson Carey.  She also became “GeeGee” to Nathan and Lillie Davis when her son Rusty began dating their mother, Lynn Davis. It was one of the best chapters in her life and her love was written into each of their hearts, lives, and memories.

In 2004 Betsy retired from her job at the Farm Bureau headquarters in Waco and moved to College Station to write the retirement chapter of her life.  As Sister, Momma, Grandma and GeeGee she continued to love on and spoil her family.  During this chapter she also welcomed two new sons-in law, Rick Linn (Drew) and Vince Coll (Debra) into her family.  Getting together at Betsy’s house for love, laughter, and great food was something her family always looked forward to.  Her family is also grateful that in her final years she was able to join the Christian Women’s Connection. Their love and friendship were a source of inspiration to Betsy.

The final chapter of her life was a difficult and painful one but she finished her story surrounded by the love of family and friends.  In Luke 6:38 it says “Give and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”  During her life Betsy gave her family and friends a full measure of unconditional love and it was returned to her in the final months of her life.

Her family wishes to extend their gratitude to those who returned her love over the past few months.  We would also like to express our gratitude to the staff at Amedysis Hospice and the Magnolia House for helping to make her passing a peaceful one.  In lieu of flowers donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

We encourage you to keep her memory alive by living a life full of love.

https://youtu.be/F9NqZ7HldUQ