Betty Rathmell Jarrett

Betty Rathmell Jarratt \BJ\ left this life on November 1, 2012 at her home in Big Spring, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM, Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Handley Cemetery in Mitchell County.Betty was born on December 20, 1927 in Pampa, Texas to Charles and Velda Rathmell, both deceased. Her family moved to Abilene, Texas early in her childhood, where she attended school and graduated from Abilene High School. She attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where she met her future husband, Weldon Jarratt. They were married in 1946, and after first living in Big Spring, they moved to Dallas in 1952. Betty \BJ\ went to work for prominent Dallas attorney, Earl Luna, when he first opened his law practice, and worked for him until his death. She loved legal work and made many friends throughout the Dallas legal community, where she was well known and highly respected as a legal professional. After her husband passed away in November 2008, her loving sister, Maryella Rathmell Strain of Big Spring, stayed with her in Dallas until July 2009. Then, with the help of her nieces, nephews and their spouses, she made the move to Big Spring to live with Maryella where she was blessed to have extensive, willing and loving family support.Sadly, Maryella passed away in November 2009, but thanks to Betty's wonderful family of nieces and nephews, Betty was able to continue living in her own home. It was a period of peace and tranquility that she was blessed to have in the final years of her life.She leaves behind many relatives and friends to remember happy times. Included are her beloved brothers, Charles Rathmell and wife, Verna of Abilene and James Kinney \Jim\ Rathmell and wife, Betty of Bossier City, Louisiana; nieces, Esther Strain Whitmore and husband, Scott of Big Spring and Julie Rathmell Kaiser and husband, Jody of Bossier City, Louisiana; nephews, Jim Strain, Stephen Strain, Tim Strain and wife, Robin all of Big Spring, Robert Strain of Charles Town, West Virginia, John Strain of Corpus Christi, Mike Rathmell and wife, Karen of Austin and Dan Rathmell of The Woodlands and lifelong friends since school days, Margaret and Belon Sedberry of Abilene.The family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude to all of BJ's extended family in Big Spring and Special Blessings to Esther Whitmore and Robin Strain for their untiring care of BJ. Esther and Robin made it possible for BJ to live out her life in her own home. The family would also like to thank BJ's wonderful caregivers, Beverly Grant, Jackie Hill and Brandy Grant and the medical professionals who made her last months comfortable and peaceful.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,