Bettye Salmon Dunlap

Bettye Salmon Dunlap of Waco passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday, August 22, 2016. Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 25, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Dr. Randall Perry officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Bettye was born November 1, 1929, in Marlow, Oklahoma, to Ealy and Floy Salmon. The youngest of seven children, Bettye was well loved and doted on by her older brothers and sisters. Bettye graduated from Oklahoma College for Women in 1950. Later that year she married her high school sweetheart, Gerald Bonner Dunlap, on August 25 in Chickasha, OK. After their marriage, Gerald & Bettye moved to Fort Worth, while he earned a Masters of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1953 they moved to Midwest City, OK to serve at First Baptist Church. In 1954, they welcomed son, John Philip, then welcomed son, Gerald Paul in 1955. Throughout their life together, Gerald & Bettye served at many different churches including First Baptist Church, Tyler, TX; South Main Baptist Church, Houston; First Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; First Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA; and lastly, First Baptist Church, Waco. During all their moves, Bettye’s love of teaching and helping others remained constant. She taught first grade for 13 years and faithfully taught children’s Sunday School in each church they served. Shortly after moving to Waco, Bettye lost her husband to cancer when she was 57. The members of First Baptist Church sustained her through love and support and the extended hand of friendship, and she remained a faithful member and worker at First Baptist Waco for many years. After Gerald’s passing, Bettye became fully engaged in serving others in the Waco community. She was a volunteer with the Auxilliary at Hillcrest Hospital, and helped deliver meals with Meals-on-Wheels. She enjoyed the wonderful friendships and social activities with her Sunday School class at FBC Waco, and always looked forward to hosting family reunions and other socials at her home. Above all, Bettye was a sweet, kind and caring mother, grandmother and friend. Her role as a mother and grandmother was one that she cherished most. She developed a special relationship with each of her grandchildren while they studied at Baylor, often assisting with their laundry or baking cookies when they needed an escape from campus life. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald Bonner Dunlap; and son, John Philip Dunlap. She is survived by son, Gerald Paul Dunlap and wife, Kathy, of Waco; daughter-in-law, Kay Dunlap of Waco; grandchildren, Philip Dunlap (Emily), Jennifer Dunlap, Rachel Dunlap, and Katie Dunlap; three great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Waco Mission Fund. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.