Bettye Lu Cole Lawler

Bettye Lu Cole Lawler, age 80, died in Abilene, Texas Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Bettye was born in Temple, Texas February 12, 1927 to Doyle and Lucille Cole. She graduated from Temple High School and attended business school in Temple. The family moved to Abilene in 1945. In Abilene, Bettye was a secretary at Banner Creamery. She married Gerald G. Lawler September 14, 1946. Gerald and his brother Norman built and opened Southwest Park Shopping Center in 1952. Following their deaths, Bettye managed the family business for 17 years. She retired in 1994. Bettye was a Life member of the Abilene Woman's Club, a member of the 58 Study Club and a member of 2M Investment Club. She was an active member of First Christian Church for 62 years. She held many offices at the church. She felt most honored to be the first woman to serve as an elder. She held the position for 24 years until poor health forced her to resign in 2005. At the time of her death, Bettye was Elder Emeritus. Bettye also was the first woman to serve two other positions-official board member and then moderator to the official board. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Doyle and Lucille Cole, her husband, Gerald Lawler, one brother George Cole II, and one sister, Antoinette Cole Dikeman. She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Dr. Gerry and Sharon Lawler of Abilene, and Dr. Lanny and Joy Lawler of Columbus, Indiana, three grandsons Sean, Ian and Patrick Lawler, along with many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will at 2:00 pm Saturday, July 14, 2007, at First Christian Church with burial following in Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, July 13 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Christian Church Library Fund, 1420 North 3rd Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; The Abilene Woman's Club, 3425 South 14th Street, Abilene, Texas 79605; The Gerald and Bettye Lawler Endowed Fund, c/o The Community Foundation of Abilene, 500 Chestnut, Abilene, Texas 79602; or to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1900 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601.