Betty Langford Massey, 86, of Buchanan Dam dies Sept. 18, 2014

Betty “Betsy” Langford Massey was born to Walter and Irwin Langford in Fort Worth, Texas.

Born into a family whose ancestors traveled to Texas in a covered wagon, she was a true Texan, who moved from town to town with her family as her father’s work in the oil fields dictated. Early in her life, Betsy learned to love nature and fishing from her father and the art of painting and gardening from her mother.

She later combined her love of nature and artistic talent to become an especially gifted educator, being one of the first Gifted and Talented teachers in the state of Texas. To this day, she continues to receive letters from former students stating that she was their favorite teacher of all time.

Betsy met the love of her life, James “Jim” Goodfellow Massey in Fort Stockton, Texas, when she was 15. After graduating from high school, she followed Jim to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education. After dating for eight years throughout high school, college and Jim’s service during World War II, they were married on Feb. 16, 1951.

Betsy taught school in the Houston area for more than 25 years from 1951 to 1983, taking a break to stay home with her children. Teaching, painting, bird-watching and a love of nature were what Betsy was known for. She served as a president of the Houston Audubon Society, and she and Jim participated in banding birds and traveling for many years. After retirement from teaching school, Betsy continued to teach others about wildlife through Audubon, bird clubs and Elder-hostels. She and Jim retired to the Texas Hill Country in 1984, which is where their heart is.

Some of Betsy’s proudest moments included painting a collage of wildflowers for Lady Bird Johnson and receiving a personal thank-you note in return, stating it was hung in the LBJ home; sending a Houston Audubon Society patch with her friend, former astronaut Bruce McCandless, to a space mission and back; and being invited as an Audubon representative by Sun Oil to an extended tour of an off-shore drilling rig via helicopter. Betsy was also a contact person for bird rehabilitation in West Houston and oversaw the Edith L. Moore nature sanctuary for many years.

Betsy was a kind, generous woman, who loved nothing more than serving others. She volunteered for countless organizations, including church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, library boards and birding/wildflower clubs. Her love of God, nature and others was evident in every aspect of her life. She adored her children and grandchildren, fostering a love of God’s creation in each of them.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving and loyal husband, Jim; son, Sam Langford Massey; daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Dr. George A. Devore; grandchildren, George Travis Devore, Katie Elaine Devore and Madeline Claire Devore; brother, Walter Langford; nephews and nieces; and brother-in-law, Herbert Massey.

A memorial service is 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Highland Lakes United Methodist Church, 8303 RR 1431 West in Buchanan Dam.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.