Betty Jean Spitler

Betty Jean Spitler, 90, of Commerce, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, April 19, 2020. She was born on September 21, 1929 in Hubbard, Texas, the daughter of Clarence Killough and Myrtle Willingham Killough.

Betty attended high school at Forest Avenue High School in Dallas. Her professional career was spent working for Sears in various administrative capacities. Her children describe her as a very hardworking woman. In her free time, Betty enjoyed gardening. She spent time tending the landscape around her home, making it beautiful. She spent a great deal of time and effort putting together photo albums containing pictures of family spanning many years.  These albums will be enjoyed for many years by her children and grandchildren. As is true of many grandmothers, Betty was known for her cooking. Many good memories were made around the table enjoying homecooked meals together as a family. On February 13, 1993, Betty married Billy Joe Spitler.  They loved life together for the past 27 years. Bill and Betty were faithful members of First Baptist Church, Commerce for all those years.

Betty is survived by her husband, Bill; her children, Stephen Coats and wife, Barbara, Mitchell Coats and wife, Beverly, Sue Patterson and husband, John and step-daughter, Carol Stroup and husband, James; grandchildren, Stephen Coats and wife, Louise, Brian Coats and wife, Kimberly, Charles Coats, Stephanie Carroll and husband, Chris, Casey Coats and wife, Lauren, Brent Patterson and wife, Valery, Dustin Patterson and wife, Tonja and Shawn Patterson; 25 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Myrtle Killough and her siblings, Clarence "Tex" Killough, Frank Killough, Maurice Killough, Pat Killough, Faye Cann, Doris Milstead, Bill Killough and Frances Killough.

Serving as honorary pallbearers for Betty are the “Joy” Sunday School class she and Bill faithfully attended at First Baptist Church.