Betty J. Smith Ross of Lampasas died on Dec. 3, 2023 after a battle with cancer. She was 61.
Betty was born on Oct. 12, 1962 to Lavell “Doc” and Jewell Smith in Lampasas.
Betty is survived by her husband, William “Bud” Ross; son John New of Lampasas, daughter Amanda New of Temple, daughter Jessica Miller of Lampasas and son Jared Miller, also of Lampasas; four siblings, Andy Smith of Winters, Barbara and husband Johnny Plummley of Winters, Ann and husband John Bradshaw of Abilene, and Joy and husband Ronnie Curry of Winters; and countless nieces and nephews.
Bud and Betty met in the parking lot of a convenience store in Winters, where Bud asked Betty to go for a ride on his motorcycle. One short ride was the beginning of a lifelong journey together that included many bike trips all over the U.S. and Canada. They were just short of celebrating their 40th anniversary in May 2024.
Betty studied education at Abilene Christian University and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1997. Her teaching career began in the Pasadena school district in Houston.
After that first year, Bud and Betty decided to move back to the Lampasas area where Betty taught for the next 22 years in the Killeen Independent School District. Betty loved teaching middle school-age students and enriched the lives of many at Eastern Hills Middle School before retiring from her teaching career in May 2022.
A memorial service will be held Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. at First Street Church of Christ in Lampasas. Heritage Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
