Athens, Texas - Betty Jo (Slayton) Ramsey was born on October 20, 1932, in Henderson County, TX to parents Ollie Moette Slayton and Garland Murel Slayton. She was Claudine Slayton's youngest sister and the two grew up alongside each other in rural Athens, Texas.

Betty is now reunited with her husband of 70 years and eternal soulmate Thomas "Burr" Ramsey. They met at Athens High School and got married shortly after on June 17, 1950. They settled down on W Cayuga Drive where the pair lived for most of their lives, starting a family, turning neighbors to best friends, and making decades worth of memories.

Betty was deeply passionate about giving back to the community in which she grew up and had a long and dedicated career in the historic Henderson County Courthouse. There she worked alongside many lifelong friends, her passion for serving her fellow Athenians spurring her on to run for and win the position of Henderson County District Clerk in 1994 and 1998 for two consecutive terms before retiring to be with her family in 2002.

Betty lived a bright and colorful life. Her love language was food and if she wasn't at the farm, she could be found in the kitchen cooking chicken fried steak, cutting buttermilk pie, and filling empty tea glasses. She never kept still for very long, always busy taking care of her loved ones and making sure that they were happy and fed before she ever sat down. Betty filled her days telling stories around the table, playing a mean game of dominos, tending to her beautiful garden, serving at the First Christian Church, sewing anything and everything, and having Sunday lunch at the Athens Country Club. Betty lit up every room she would enter, making everyone feel seen, loved, and taken care of. She had an eye for style, a love of fashion, and would never be caught wearing polyester. Betty Jo Slayton-Ramsey was a pillar in her community and a loving friend to all- her light will never dim inside those who had the greatest pleasure of knowing her.

She will be forever missed by her three children, Suzette Ramsey Wavro and husband Steve Wavro, Jon Ramsey and wife Robin Ramsey, and Tammani Ramsey-Frazier and husband Derek Frazier; her six grandchildren- Stephanie Beugelsdijk and husband Ben Beugelsdijk, Justin Wavro and fiancee Kirsten Carlson, Rain Ramsey-Heitshusen and husband Luke Heitshusen, Colt Ramsey and wife Alicia Ramsey, Tristan Frazier and Sadie Frazier; and her six great-grandchildren-- Jackson, Hannah, and Matthew Beugelsdijk, Hartley Jo and Hattie Ann Heitshusen, and Russell Ramsey.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty's memory can be made to: Disciples Clinic of Athens, The Humane Society's Pets Fur People of Tyler or Athens Arboretum.