Elizabeth "Betsy" Buchanan Oates

Elizabeth B. Oates February 6, 1938 - February 13, 2015 Elizabeth "Betsy" Buchanan Oates, cherished wife, adoring mother, devoted sister, faithful friend, joyful Christian, inspiring gardener, hostess par excellence, avid learner, strong leader, and our great continent, joined our Lord in heaven on February 13, 2015. The memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 16, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Chuck Treadwell officiating. "With my mother's death all settled happiness, all that was tranquil and reliable, disappeared from my life. There was to be much fun, many pleasures, many stabs of Joy; but no more of the old security. It was sea and islands now; the great continent had sunk like Atlantis." From C.S. Lewis Born February 6, 1938, Betsy grew up in a loving family in one of the first homes on Lake Waco, with a plethora of animals including her favorite horse Trigger. She earned her nickname "barrel-ridin' Betsy" thanks to a brief appearance in the Heart of Texas rodeo and continued to ride horses swiftly throughout her life. Betsy's formal education included Sanger Avenue elementary school, The Hockaday School, the University of Texas, and Baylor University. Betsy lived by this motto, "You must learn something new every day." An avid reader and devoted Episcopalian, Betsy studied the Bible and led countless Episcopal Church Women conferences, with a highlight being the Terry Fullam Conferences at Camp Allen. Betsy awoke singing, "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" and filled her days to the brim. A favorite day would be working in her garden, driving her Meals & Wheels route, lunching with one of her many friends, both lifelong and new, calling to check in with her three children, reading the Psalms in the late afternoon, and having dinner while the sun set with her husband of fifty-eight years. Betsy's served our Lord with joy in many volunteer and ministry capacities including St. Paul's ECW, Meals & Wheels, Compassion Ministry, and the Junior League of Waco. While we mourn the passing of our great continent, we are comforted knowing she lives anew with Meg and in the Lord. Betsy is predeceased by her daughter, Meg Smith; parents Doc and Peggy Buchanan; and her lifelong friend and companion, Nellie 'Nanny' McDowell. Betsy is survived by her beloved husband, Julian Oates; daughter, Julie Oates, son, Hal Oates and his wife, Kirsten; grandsons, Will Bauer, Philip Koelsch, and Hal Koelsch; son-in-law, Tom Smith, and his children Kelsie and Karlson. Betsy is also survived by her brother, Mercer Buchanan and his wife, Lauretta; her sister-in-law, Kay Barrett; cousins, Bill Buchanan, Dinni Gordon and Hal Smith; and all their loving families. She is also survived by a multitude of admiring friends worldwide. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Compassion Ministries, Meals & Wheels or St. Paul's Episcopal Church and School. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.