Bette Newsom Walton

Bette Newsom Walton of Plano, Texas, answered the call from God to come home to her eternal reward on Sunday, February 19, 2023.  She was born on January 20, 1932, in Summerville, South Carolina, to Charles H. and Linda K. Newsom.

Bette had many happy memories of growing up in her beloved small hometown, including being a high school cheerleader, as well as representing Summerville in the 1953 Miss South Carolina Beauty Pageant.

After graduating high school, Bette attended college at Winthrop University in Rock Hill SC with four dear childhood friends.  Following college, she returned to Summerville and worked as a dental assistant.

Bette met her future husband, Lt. John Walton, USAF of Kansas City, Missouri, in March of 1955.  John was stationed at nearby Charleston Air Force Base, and his favorite story through the decades was how in awe he was when he met the most beautiful woman, he had ever laid eyes on. John proposed to Bette shortly after their first meeting, and they were married on June 4, 1955, at First United Methodist Church in Summerville.

Bette and John went on to add 4 children to the family while serving their country for the next 22 years.

Throughout these years, Bette and John faced challenging assignments together including living outside of Anchorage, Alaska during the Great Alaska Earthquake and living on a Civil War Era Army base on an island outside of New York. Bette’s most challenging assignment, however, was taking care of the household and the children while waiting for John in Summerville while he served as a Forward Air Controller during the Vietnam War. She handled this trying time with great strength and courage.

The family lived in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1972-84, where Bette was very involved in her church and made lifelong friends. Bette and John then moved to Dallas in 1984. Eventually all four children, along with their spouses moved to the Dallas area as well where she welcomed 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

She eagerly shared her strong Christian faith with all that knew her and was thrilled when husband John accepted Jesus Christ as his lord and savior as they attended a Billy Graham Crusade in October of 2002.

Her final church home was Grace Presbyterian Church in Plano, where she was a member for 38 years.  In addition to being an active member of the Grace prayer group, Bette served as a deacon, and was also a leader for the non-denominational Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for many years.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing Bette realized that her great beauty was much more than skin deep.  Her loving and Godly spirit has touched the hearts of those in her presence over her lifetime and will remain in our hearts until we are joyfully reunited with her in her heavenly home.

Bette was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 61 years Col. John W Walton, USAF, (retired) mother and father Charles & Linda Newsom, sister Frances Zotz, and brother Charles Newsom, III.

She is survived by her children John Walton, Jr (Kathy), Stephen Walton (Teresa), Mike Walton (Paula) and Elizabeth Walton Pennywell (Greg) Grandchildren Katherine Senn, David Walton (Fiancé Jessica LaCaille) Chad Pennywell (Jessica), Mary Walton, John Paul Walton, Andrew Pennywell (Lauren), and great grandchildren Kaylee Golden, Greysen Golden, Charlotte Pennywell, Cameron Pennywell and James Pennywell.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday March 5, 2023, from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. at Allen Funeral Options.

Bette will be laid to rest with her husband on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211

A Celebration of Life will follow on Monday March 6, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church 4300 W Park Blvd Plano, Texas with Reverend Dr. Tracey Davenport officiating.