Betty Jean Rasco Embry Dunn

Betty was born on December 18, 1927 to Jack Uriah Rasco and Ollie Mae Smith Rasco. Betty was the youngest and last survivor of 7 brothers and sisters. She was born on the family homestead in rural Clark Hill area near Fife in McCulloch County, Texas. McCulloch County is in the geographical center of Texas, Fife is north of Brady the county seat. The Rasco family were tenant farmers, growing cotton, grain sorghum and other crops. They lived off the land and swapped food and animals with friends, family and neighbors. Even as a young girl Betty was in the fields with her family helping pull cotton and tending to the crops and animals. The Rasco family moved to Arlington when Betty was in her teens buying their first home at the corner of S. Pecan Street and W. Mitchell Street. Betty finished High School while still living with her parents and working small jobs to help the family. George Rex Embry was attending the North Texas Agricultural College (now UTA) and living in Lipscomb Hall Dormitory which was across the street from the house on S. Pecan Street. He saw Betty and fell in love, they married in 1947 in Arlington and moved several times, before settling in Temple Texas to raise their family. George and Betty divorced in 1962. Betty was deeply devoted to raising her 3 daughters Georjeana, Beverly and Jo Beth and chose to be their sole provider. She went to work as an operator for Southwestern Bell. Betty moved back to Arlington for the support of her family, and bought the family a home on Lynda Lane. Georjeana met and married Mark Hardisty in Fort Worth, where they raised their family. Betty was able to share in the birth of all her grandchildren. Georjeana and Mark gave birth to 3 boys Christopher, Philip and Matthew. Christopher moved to Washington State, met and married Sarah, they have 3 sons and 1 daughter. Christopher and Sarah now reside in Fort Worth. Betty always knew that her grandson Philip was special, he was soft spoken and very sweet. Philip went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 5, 1991 at 18 years of age. Matthew met and married Bonnie, they reside in Fort Worth, and have 2 sons and 2 daughters. Georjeana and Mark are retired and enjoy spending quality time with their extended family. Beverly met and married Ronnie Workman and they lived in Fort Worth and Dallas, where they raised their family. Beverly and Ronnie gave birth to 2 girls Jennifer and Rachel and 1 son Joseph, all born in Texas. The family moved to Costa Mesa, Orange County California. Beverly and Ronnie divorced after all the children were adults. Jennifer met and married Ken Stechauner in California, they have 2 sons and 3 daughters. Rachel met and married Kilbe Horne in California, they have 2 sons. Joseph also lives in California and has not married and has no children. Beverly went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on September 15, 2004 at 53 years of age. Jo Beth married Allen Mason, divorced no children, and later married Lindsey Wilkes, divorced no children however has had many four legged children. Jo Beth always lived close to Betty and spent a good portion of life with her, they traveled often together on vacations, visiting family and friends across the country. Betty worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone in Temple and Arlington, then transferred to Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages as a clerk before retiring in 1995 after 45 years. Betty continued to live on the corner of Lynda Lane, where her oldest sister purchased the home next door on Donna Street. All the Rasco brothers and sisters helped to build on an independent apartment attached to the back of the home on Donna Street for their parents to live in. The family shared numerous gatherings with homemade ice cream for family and fellowship, birthday’s and holiday’s, reunions and celebrations of life together. A gate was put between the yards and a concrete path was laid. A hammock in the yard for Papa and a porch swing for Big Mama, the shared backyard was a blessing to all. Mr. and Mrs. Rasco lived very contently the remainder of their years next to their children. Another of Betty’s sister purchased a home on Oak Tree Lane which was on the next block over. Nelson Dunn bought the house across the street from Betty on Lynda Lane as a rental property. His children rented the house, when the children moved out, Nelson lived there. In the year 1986 Betty caught Nelson’s attention and he walked across the street to ask Betty for a date. They went to a dance, then another and another and fell in love. Nelson was very fortunate to get to know Betty’s mother and she could see her youngest daughter happily married to Nelson. Betty and Nelson married January 1, 1996. Betty and Nelson, sold both of their homes and moved into their home near Lake Arlington where Nelson resides today. During these last 34 years, Betty and Nelson continued to dance and they loved to travel. They were able to see the world together, sailing on cruises, flying overseas, and driving across the country and shared their lives with family and friends. Nelson has 3 children, two sons Mike and Jeff and one daughter Dee Ann. Jeff and Donna Dunn live in Trinity, Texas. Mike and Suzie Dunn live in Longview, Texas and Dee Ann Ray resides in Waxahachie, Texas. Nelson’s children loved and cherished Betty as if she was truly family. Betty was the tie that bound the Rasco, Embry and Dunn families together. Betty was a very strong and independent woman with a humorous quick wit. She kept in touch with almost all the members of her family, Nelson’s family and friends, everyone respected and loved her. She liked to keep in shape and