Betty Lauraine Lyon

Betty Lauraine Lyon passed away peacefully in the evening of August 20, 2024, after a long struggle with dementia. She was set to turn 74 in September.

Betty graduated from Gonzales High School in 1968. She attended Texas A&I University for 1968 to 1971. After raising her family, she returned to her studies and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions from Southwest Texas State University in 1990. She went on to work for Austin Regional Clinic in Personnel from 1991-2007.

Following her retirement, Betty cherished the time spent with her young grandsons in Austin, attending their various sporting events and celebrating their milestones together.

Betty’s spirit of service began in childhood. As a ten-year-old, she fondly recalled helping her busy mother care for her baby sister, Leigh. After moving to Houston in 1972, she taught weekday preschool at St. Andrew’s and Sunday school at First Baptist Church. Upon relocating to Austin in 1984 and joining Hyde Park Baptist Church, she continued her passion for teaching by leading Sunday school for young children.

Betty played in the Gonzales High School band and was also a talented pianist. Her grandmother often recruited her to perform at the Senior Care Center's Sunday school program.

In 1968, Betty was honored to be selected as Miss Gonzales County. She was proud to represent her hometown and recalled, with humor, traveling to many nearby towns riding in their various celebration parades sitting atop the back seat of an old convertible.

Betty loved to travel and cherished gatherings with family and friends. Her adventurous spirit led her to enjoy snorkeling, snow skiing, hiking, and sightseeing, creating many unforgettable memories during exciting vacations.

Betty is survived by her husband of 53 years, John Dana Lyon; her son Zane Lyon and partner Curry Lemon; her daughter Nyre Spitzer and husband Mark; and her beloved grandsons Leo and Archie Spitzer. She also leaves behind her mother, Mildred Lauraine of Gonzales; her sisters Leigh Schoonover and Barbara Lauraine; as well as four nephews and one niece.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Eugene Lauraine; her brother Robert Lauraine; and her grandparents Dr. Loye and Hallie Lauraine, all of Gonzales, Texas.

Betty will be interred in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery on Saturday October 12, 2024. The graveside service will be held at 1:30 PM. The cemetery entrance is at the intersection of Knight St and Holmes St.  First Baptist Pastor Josh Breslaw will be officiating the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, at alz.org.  If donating by check, their postal address is PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.