Betty Lou McDuffie Brashear, 84, Orange

Betty Lou Brashear was born on February 26, 1937, and went to be with her loving Lord and Savior surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the age of 84. Services will be on Thursday, January 13 at 2:30pm at North Orange Baptist Church, in the sanctuary. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, prior to the services. Officiating will be Lynn Ashcraft and Chip Anthony. Burial will follow at Autumn Oaks Cemetery in Orange. Services are under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home. Please observe COVID protocols by wearing a mask. Services will also be live streamed by logging https://nobcfamily.com/media/sunday-morning-live-stream/ Betty was born at the family home in Wells Texas to Jesse E. and Annie L. (Holsomback) McDuffie. Later they moved to the family farm in Beulah Texas where she had many happy childhood memories playing with her brother and double first cousins, whom she often said were like brothers and sisters. That happens when two sisters and a brother named McDuffie married two brothers and a sister named Holsomback. She attended school in Lufkin. One day after school, she drove the family car to her Uncle’s “service station” and called out for some service. She did not realize, at the time, that on that day she would meet the man that would become her husband. She often kidded him that she only married him for his cars. Since he owned two cars, she believed he was rich. Betty and L.B. (Snookie) Brashear married on January 21, 1956. They began their life together in Lufkin, where their son Johnny was born. They then moved to Daisetta where their daughter Brenda was born. There were many moves for work, that included several cities in Texas, then Mississippi and back to Diboll, Texas where they owned and operated an Esso (Exxon) full service station. Their last move would be to Orange in the late 60’s where they raised their family and lived their life surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. L.B. preceded Betty in death after 58 years of marriage. Betty retired from Sabine River Authority where she often shared memories of her wonderful work family. After retiring she traveled and enjoyed many trips with her church family, the NOBS, to see various parts of the United States. She often reflected on these fond memories when travel became more difficult. She was an active member of North Orange Baptist Church for more than 50 years. We know she is being welcomed into heaven with the joyous smiles of her parents, husband, brother and sister-in-law Jack and Gloria McDuffie. Betty was the last of her generation of Brashear’s so the Brashear Reunion of brothers-in-laws & sisters-in-laws: Tip & Louise Brashear, Benny Brashear, Harold & Charlene Brashear, niece, Glenda Brashear, and nephews, Randal and Doyle Brashear will be glorious! Also, there will be her “son by another mother”, Les Daigle. This wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother will be dearly missed. She had a smile that would light up the room and when she laughed, everyone joined in the laughter because it was so infectious. Her chocolate cake and banana bread will be dearly missed because it will be hard to duplicate the love she put in it. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Johnny (Connie) Brashear, daughter Brenda (Jerry) Anderson; grandchildren, Melissa (Ronnie) Cole, Khris (Ashlee) Donahey, Cody Conway, Danny Brashear, Jennifer (Dennis) Branch, and Jessica (Cody) Caples; great grandchildren, Annie Brashear, Sean Cole, Kristian Morgan, Lorayne Cole, Kenneth Aery, Kamryn Aery, Keegan Donahey, Aubree Donahey, Caydence Caples and Colton Caples; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her grandsons and nephew, Jack McDuffie will serve as pallbearers. Her great grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Betty truly enjoyed music and shared that with all of us every chance she got. She was known as Grandmother by all, but especially “Gary baby,” Stelly whom she listened to each morning and would often call him to request her favorite country songs. Gary, she never told us why one of those songs was her favorite. Her favorite gospel song was Amazing Grace. We all know every word especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren because as babies she would rock them and sing it to them until they were peacefully sleeping. Family still believes that the country song that references “Sweet Miss Betty likes to sing off key in the pew behind me” was written about Mom. Instead of flowers, please consider making a donation to the North Orange Baptist Church Building Fund in Mom’s name. The family would like to thank you all for the prayers, texts, calls and food provided during this difficult time. We have felt the love and it is truly appreciated.