Betty Braly Crager (Tulia)

TULIA, TEXAS- Betty Braly Crager was born on June 6, 1937 and died on March 22, 2012. She was one of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. R. H. (Huse) Braly of Tulia, Texas. Early childhood experiences included enjoyment of all that farming afforded in Swisher County and treatment for polio with siblings and cousins in Plainview, Texas. Betty graduated from Texas Christian University with a BSN in Nursing. She was a member of the first class of graduate studies in nursing at UCLA, California. Betty met her circle of friends for life while she was at UCLA. Her experiences in nursing included post-operative cardiac care of children under the direction of Dr. Denton Cooley in Houston, Texas. Betty served briefly as a wedding planner and enjoyed many luncheons while in Houston. Betty joined the School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 1983 as a faculty member and later served as student services adviser and administrative assistant until her retirement. It was during her retirement Betty’s creative talents especially flourished including china painting, gardening, traveling with friends, and quilting. Betty is predeceased by numerous family members and her husband, Jay Crager. Betty is survived by her sister, Bobbie Smetherman of Fresno, California; brothers, Sam Braly of Casa Grande, Ariz., Deen Braly of Kingsland, Texas, Jack Braly of Tulia, Texas; and niece, Jill Rehder and husband Lars and their children Eric and Sophie. No one enjoyed Charades and Parlor Games more than Betty, her good friends and family remember her fondly with much laughter. She is remembered with great fondness as Aunt B, by a special group of young ladies including Rachel, Tanya, Melissa, Marin, and Violet. Funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Tulia, Texas on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia. A special thank you is offered to all who provided care for Betty at UMC and Tanglewood Village, Lubbock.