Bette Louise Crowe

Bette Louise Bookamer Crowe, 83, joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven on Sunday, February 13, 2011. Bette was born on May 14, 1927 in New Castle, Pennsylvania to the late Thomas Christopher Bookamer, and Margaret Louise (Brown) Bookamer. Bette graduated from the Temple University School of Nursing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1948. The rest of her life was a testimony of loving care and ministry to the sick, at several hospitals including Allegheny General and Divine Providence Hospitals in Pittsburgh, and Katy Community Hospital in Katy, Texas. At Katy Community, she was the driving force behind the creation of new volunteer services and a gift shop in the early 1980’s. She was married to John (Jack) Faudree Crowe on February 23, 1952, in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Her loving husband of 56 years, and brother in Christ, preceded her in death on January 23, 2009. Bette is survived by daughter, Linda Crowe Sturdevant, and son-in-law, Jimmy Don Sturdevant of Argyle, Texas, and son, John Christopher Crowe and daughter-in-law, Heather Louise Hartsfield Crowe, of Tomball, Texas. Bette is also survived by grandchildren Adam Christopher Sturdevant and granddaughter-in-law Kristen Lauren (Rosener) Sturdevant, and Joy Elizabeth Sturdevant of Argyle, and Randall James Hartsfield and granddaughter-in-law Laura Ashley (Gilmore) Hartsfield of Houston, Ensign Jacob Ridge Hartsfield and granddaughter-in-law Jenna Diane (Tarver) Hartsfield of Charleston, South Carolina, and Scott Lebus Hartsfield of College Station, Texas. Bette’s only sister-in-law, Shirley Ann (Crowe) Teasdale, preceded her in death in June, 2009, and is survived by niece Pamela (Teasdale) Waite, of New York, and nephew’s Dean and Clark Teasdale of Colorado, and Scott Teasdale of Illinois. After retiring with her husband to Walden on Lake Conroe in 1987, Bette’s life continued to be about loving and caring for others in need. She joyfully invested many years of her time and talents in church ministry, Saint Vincent De Paul’s, and in developing the West Branch of Montgomery County’s Library as a Board Member. Walden honored her as “Citizen of the Year” in 1993, for her contributions to community improvements within the county. Bette was a woman of great faith and courage, walking first through her husband’s battle with cancer, and then her own. She faced each day with joy, and certain knowledge her life was in the Redeemer’s Hands. Even in the worst days of her suffering, she never gave up her gentle, loving heart and spirit. She will be deeply missed by her family, and her many dear friends. Visitation and Prayer Vigil: Saint Mary’s Church, Plantersville, Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM Funeral service: Saint Mary’s Church, Monday, February 21, 2011, at 10:30AM The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent directly to the Saint Mary’s Expansion Fund, PO BOX 388, Plantersville, Texas, 77363. You are invited to leave memorial condolences to the family on our website at www.shmfh.com

Bette Louise Crowe

May 14, 1927 - February 21, 2011