Betty Jean McCaleb

Betty McCaleb, 93, left the loving arms of her earthly family on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at a local care facility. She will live for eternity in the everlasting arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and with those who awaited her arrival in Heaven. Betty was a loving and cherished mother, grandmother, sister and friend. We who are left will miss her but rejoice in the victory she achieved reaching her reward. Visitation will be Friday, October 5, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 6, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene with Brother Jack Ridlehoover, Dr. Jeff Reid and Rev. Jared McCaleb officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Betty's grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Betty was born June 2, 1919 in Beggs, Oklahoma, the fourth of seven children, to James Forest and Emily Louise (Klingensmith) Wallace. She moved with her family to Abilene in 1926. Betty attended Abilene Public Schools, graduating from Abilene High School in 1936. She attended Hardin-Simmons University where she met the love of her life, Jasper Lewis "Slick" McCaleb. They were married December 14, 1941 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage until Slick's death in 1998. While Abilene was always considered HOME, Betty and Slick lived in Ranger, Seymour, Athens and Stamford before returning to Abilene permanently in 1968. Besides her duties as wife, mother and homemaker, Betty worked outside the home for most of her adult life, retiring from the Texas Department of Health in 1984. Betty loved God first, but always had plenty of time to spend with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all whom she adored. She was a Baptist and a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. She enjoyed membership in the Good Samaritan Class and counted that membership among her closest of friends. She enjoyed church gatherings, travel with church friends and Bible Study in her Sunday School class. Betty also loved playing bridge with a special group of ladies. Preceding her in death were her husband, Slick; her parents; sisters Twila Battles, Helen Martin and Frances Herchenhahn; and brothers Jack Wallace and Tom Wallace. Betty is survived by her children: Patricia Gayle (and Carroll) Broussard of Kerrville, Molly (and Paul) Lenker of Abilene and Michael (and Roxanne) McCaleb of Lake Dallas. Survivors also include grandchildren: Dr. Bradley (and Maria) Broussard of Fayetteville, N. Carolina, Brooke (and Dan) Burnette of Allen, Emily (and Jason) Mattern of Fair Oaks Ranch, Joshua (and Jen) McCaleb of Keller, Katie (and John) Casanova of Frisco, Adam (and Cory) Lenker of Austin, Erin (and Chris) Uhlaender of Buda and Rev. Jared (and Shelby) McCaleb of The Woodlands, as well as 13 great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by a sister, Madole Harper of Eastland, and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Wesley Court and Hospice of The Big Country for their loving care and attentiveness at the end of Betty's earthly journey. They provided services while allowing our mother to maintain a sense of dignity and security. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Betty's name to the Arise & Build Fund of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene, TX 79605, Hospice of The Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or a favorite charity.