Betty Jean Mclaughlin

Betty McLaughlin 3/29/1932- 3/2/2009 Betty Jean Haley McLaughlin, 76, a longtime resident of Waco, passed away Monday, March 2, in Conroe, Texas after a long struggle with COPD. Services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 7 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit with Father John Wells officiating, burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. A reception at the church with family and friends will be held following burial. Visitation will be held from 6-8pm, Friday, March 6th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Betty was born March 29, 1932 in Hicksbaugh, Texas to Dr. Joseph P and Olivia Chapman Haley and spent her childhood in Crockett, Texas. She was married to Ronald Lewis McLaughlin from 1955 to 1979. Betty graduated with a BSN from Baylor University in 1954 where she was a senior class officer. She worked as a registered nurse first at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center and then at Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. In 1981 she received her Master's degree in Health Professions from Southwest Texas State University which allowed her to teach nursing at McLennan Community College. Her students held a special place in her heart and she kept in touch with many of them over the years. She retired in 1996. She was a member the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit and taught Sunday school when her children were young. Her favorite hobbies were embroidery and needlepoint. She made one of the needlepoint kneelers on behalf of Holy Spirit Church that was placed in Christ Cathedral Church located in Houston Texas. Betty was also a member of The Altrusa of the Brazos, the Waco chapter of Altrusa International. She was preceded in death by Dr. and Mrs. Haley and her wonderful stepfather, Wesley Christian Shivers. Survivors include her son Richard Christian McLaughlin, his wife Candy Pruitt McLaughlin and her grandson Chase Alan McLaughlin of Houston Texas; her son Russell Lewis McLaughlin and his wife Deborah Elaine Miller McLaughlin of Conroe, Texas; and her best friend and long time companion, John Stephens of Waco, Texas. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr Frank Adams, all the staff at Hearthstone Assisted Living, and the Lighthouse Hospice team members for their compassionate care during her final months. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Episcopal Church or Meals on Wheels of Waco, Texas. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.