Betty Jean Green

Betty Jean Green, 88, of Midland passed away Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at her residence surrounded by her children. Funeral service will be Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John Gerlach officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons Trey Davis, Taylor Green, Cooper Green, Payton Northrup, Kade Northrup, and Chaise Cooper, husband of granddaughter Courtney Cooper.

Betty Jean Green was born on December 12, 1932 in Midland, TX to Bascom and Rachel O’Neal. A farmer’s daughter, she loved the land and what it provided when tended well. She was a country girl through and through which led her to meeting and marrying the love of her life, Charlie Green, the County Agricultural Agent who had come to her farm to advise her daddy on the growing of his cotton crop. This union produced four children, Rick, Becky, Rance, and Karen. Betty and Charlie instilled the love of agriculture into their kids, who were very involved in 4-H with livestock projects. Betty loved helping with their projects and attending the livestock shows with them.

She was the best cook in the world – the whole family raved about “Aunt Betty’s Kitchen” – and she grew much of what she cooked. Betty and Charlie had an elaborate garden and would often work until after midnight shucking corn, shelling peas, and canning, knowing full well they had to be at work at 8:00 the next morning. The family ate well!

In the mid-60’s, in keeping with her servant’s heart, Betty decided to become a nurse and enrolled in nursing school. She became an excellent nurse and worked for many years at Midland Memorial Hospital, and later at Midland Women’s Clinic.

It wasn’t long before “Granny and Grandad’s House” became a gathering place for grandkids in the summer. Family stories abound of the adventures they had. Betty loved and nourished her grandkids as she had her own kids, and taught them to grow tomatoes and melons, cut okra, shell peas, shuck corn, and perhaps most importantly, the finer points of country cooking. The summer vacations to Cloudcroft, NM, and family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas were always filled with love and laughter.

A 1951 graduate of Midland High School, she was president of Future Homemakers – which was prophetic considering the loving home she went on to make for Charlie and all the kids.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness… Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” – Proverbs 31:25-29

Betty and Charlie were longtime active members of Crestview Baptist Church. Betty is survived by her sister Patsy Ralston, and children:  Rick Green of Midland, Becky Davis of Springtown, Rance Green and wife Kellye of Midland, and Karen Northrup and husband Patrick of Amarillo, grandchildren: Spencer Green, Trey Davis, Courtney Cooper and husband Chaise, Taylor Green and wife Dana, Cooper Green, Madison Green, Payton Northrup and wife Megan, and Kade Northrup. Great-grandchildren: Carly Cooper, Jack Cooper, Tanner Cooper, Brantley Green, Hudson Green, and Hadley Green.

She is preceded in death by her parents Bascom and Rachel O’Neal, her husband Charlie, her sisters Mickey Chamberlain and Melba Merritt, her grandson Jordan Green, and her son-in-law Steve Davis.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Midland for the truly excellent at-home care provided to Betty these last two years, and especially to Marcy Schulte, her gentle and loving caregiver and friend for four years, who became part of our family.

In addition, the family requests that any donations be made to Hospice of Midland, or to the 4-H youth organization.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory in Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.