Betty Turnbow

L. Elizabeth “Betty” Turnbow, 93, of Dallas went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 16, 2023. Betty was an extremely devoted and loving wife to her husband, C. Richard “Dick” Turnbow for 68 years until his death in 2019, and to her two children.

Betty was born September 3, 1929, in Weston, West Virginia to N. Bradley and Lucinda M. Dawson. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lindblom High School in 1947. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in the teaching of speech at the University of Illinois in 1951 and her Master of Arts in speech from Indiana State University in 1969. She met Dick at the University of Illinois, and they were married August 11, 1951.

She taught full-time for several years and was a substitute teacher for many years as she moved multiple times with her husband, who was an attorney for Marathon Oil. Her first job was teaching English/speech to high school juniors and seniors, and she also directed plays. She eventually taught all levels of students from kindergarten to middle school to special education. She even ended up being a long-term sub for her daughter’s third grade class.

She and Dick lived in many places throughout their lives, including Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Alaska, Colorado and Texas. They lived in Sugar Land for 25 years prior to their move to Highland Springs in Dallas in 2007 to be near their daughter and her family.

Betty was involved in a variety of political activities throughout her life, serving as a consultant for several local campaigns as well as being president of the Fort Bend Republican Women’s Club for at least two terms from 1985 to 1990. She also was interested in genealogy and became a lifetime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in which she actively participated in during her time in Sugar Land for more than 25 years. In addition, she volunteered for the American Heart Association.

After moving to Dallas, she remained active politically, serving on the Legislative Affairs Committee at Highland Springs. She and Dick faithfully supported their three grandsons by being present at their many events, from band concerts to track meets to karate shiais and to high school and college graduations. Attending the weddings of two of her grandsons and getting to meet two great grandchildren were special times as well. She met her brand-new great granddaughter born in May via FaceTime.

Betty and Dick were members of multiple Methodist churches in the states they lived in and most recently, were members of Christ United Methodist Church in Plano.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her sister Margaret Guthaus. She is survived by two daughters, Laura (Alan) Murray of Westlake and Linda Walsh of Santa Cruz, California. She is also survived by three grandsons, Kyle (Grace) Murray of Trophy Club, Tyler Murray of Nashville, Tennessee and Shane (Hannah) Murray of St. Charles, Missouri, three great-grandchildren, Emma and Declan Murray of Trophy Club and Joy Murray of St. Charles, and several nephews and a niece.

A memorial service and celebration of her life is set for 11:00 a.m. August 10, 2023, at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas, 75075.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers to donate to the Daughters of the American Revolution Ft. Bend Chapter, the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of your choice.