Betty Jane Merriman Gipson left behind her earthly home and took up her new residence in Heaven on Sunday morning, September 3, 2017, at the age of 91. She was born to Krouth Omer Merriman and Carrie Wallace Merriman of rural Garland on May 19, 1926. She was the baby of seven children born to the family and the lone surviving sibling. Her joy was complete when she was reunited with her family and husband.
She attended Handley School on Jupiter Road through the sixth grade before transferring into the Garland Schools. She graduated from Garland High School in 1944 and married fellow classmate Billy Edward Gipson in 1946. The couple had two children, Sandra Gipson Strickland and Richard Neal Gipson. Later two granddaughters joined the family, Ginger Gipson Faught and Georgia Gipson.
Jane was widowed in 2000 after 53 years of marriage. She continued to live in the family home in Rowlett until 2004 when she made a move to Winnsboro, Texas, where she lived for the next 13 years.
Betty Jane was very active in her time in Winnsboro, especially after moving into the Autumn Wind Assisted Living facility in 2010. She participated in all events and remained involved in everything up until last Friday morning when suffered a seizure. Betty Jane had Alzheimer’s but no one can say “she suffered” from it. One would be hard pressed to find anyone any sweeter that this dear lady. She kept her sweet, gentle spirit up until the time of her last breath on Sunday morning. We will miss her greatly, but we are comforted in knowing she is rejoicing in her new home in Heaven surrounded by Mama and Papa, her husband Bill and all her brothers and sisters whom she has wanted to see for the past few years.
In addition to being survived by Sandra and Dan of Winnsboro, Richard and Mary of Ouray, CO, Ginger and Drew and their three children, Perry Jane, Nola, and Porter of Blanco, and Georgia of Rockwall, a host of nieces and nephews and their families, and an army of devoted sitters and staff of Autumn Wind Assisted Living.
Services for Mrs. Betty Jane Merriman Gipson will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at the Beaty Funeral Home in Winnsboro, Texas, with Rev. Henry and Linda Suche conducting. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Beaty Funeral Home, Winnsboro, Texas. Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 3 pm at the Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
Memorials may be made to East Texas Hospice, 4111 University BLVD., Tyler, TX 75701.
