Betty Lou Schroeder

Betty Lou Schroeder of Waco passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2016. Services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 8, at Seventh and James Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. She was born on July 30, 1928, in Temple, Texas, to H.P. and Bertha Swan. She attended Temple schools and graduated from Temple High School in 1945 at the age of 16. She graduated from Baylor University with bachelor and master degrees. While at Baylor she met fellow student, Dutch Schroeder, a true gentleman, who carried her books for her while she was on crutches. After a courtship of three months, they got engaged and were planning to marry in late June, but the wedding was moved up. Dutch played baseball for Baylor, and they were to play in the NCAA baseball playoffs at that time in Denver. They were married June 12, 1948, in Temple. They honeymooned in Denver at the NCAA playoffs. They had 3 children, Becky Sue, Emily Ann and Tim. The majority of family time was spent cheering on Coach Dutch and Baylor Bear baseball. Betty taught in Waco ISD for 35 years and retired in 1990. After retirement, her students would approach her and express their appreciation for the impact she made in their lives. Betty was an excellent seamstress, making her own clothes and those of her daughters. Her daughters were annually voted the “Best Dressed”. She teamed with Alice Sessions, wife of then FBI Director Bill Sessions, to sew and dress prominent Washington wives; in particular, the wife of General Colin Powell. Betty attended all Baylor athletic events in green and gold from head to toe. She enjoyed the company of her special friends, Elvis the cat and DJ the dog. But nothing gave her more joy than spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her parents; and daughter, Emily Ann Whelpley. She is survived by husband, Dutch Schroeder; daughter, Becky Sue Hodges and Lawrence Elkins; and son, Tim Schroeder; grandchildren, Eren Price and husband, Waren, of Frisco, Texas, Kirk Lowe and wife, Traci, of Friendswood, Matt Hodges of Waco, Hillary Hodges of Clifton, Amanda and Brian Carcaterra of New York, Jennifer and Matt Kennedy of California, Alex Merritt and husband, Kevin, of Waco, and Savannah Schroeder of Waco; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Wyatt Price of Frisco, Justin and Lauren Lowe of Friendswood, Emily and Charlotte Carcaterra of New York, Olivia and Adeline Kennedy of California, and Harper Merritt of Waco. Memorials may be made to Baylor “B” Association, 1500 S. University Parks Dr, Waco TX 76706.