Bettie Louise Stinson McDuffie was born on March 20, 1926, in Douglass, Texas. She was 96 years old when she was called to be with Jesus on March 30, 2021. Her last earthly breath was taken in Nacogdoches, Texas with her son by her side.
Bettie (also known as Louise) was the daughter of William Samuel Stinson and Maggie Edith Stinson. Her brothers were Willie Joe Stinson and Vernon Stinson. She was married to the love of her life, Ralph Lamar McDuffie, for 61 years until his passing in 2006.
She resided in Nacogdoches her whole life and never lived more than 15 miles of where she was born. Bettie was a graduate of Douglass High School and Massey Business College. She worked and retired from the Stone Fort National Bank.
Bettie was a member of the Greatest Generation having grown up during the Great Depression and World War II. She loved to share stories of those days. Of waking before daylight, her father hooking Ned, the family mule, to a wagon and driving the wagon to Nacogdoches to sell produce grown on the farm. They would not return until well after dark.
She was a lifelong member of Perritte Memorial Methodist Church. She loved the Lord. She had a love of country music that was shared with her husband. Bettie was a Democrat and campaigned in many local and national elections.
She had a great sense of humor that was evident up until her passing. She loved animals having many over her lifetime and would share stories about each of them. Her dachshund, Molly, was a constant by her side, whether watching tv from her recliner or exploring the backyard.
Bettie was a caregiver. She often said that she should have been a nurse like her mother. She cared for her husband 24/7 for six years after a series of ministrokes. She never complained about being in service to others or helping others in times of need.
Above all, she loved her family, her husband, son, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bettie will always be remembered as Momma and Granny. Mothers and Grandmothers are special in everyone’s life, but we feel especially blessed to have had her as ours.
She is predeceased by her husband, Ralph McDuffie, grandson, Ryan McDuffie, her parents and brothers, Joe and Vernon Stinson.
Bettie is survived by her son, Dennis McDuffie and wife, Kathy. Grandchildren, Kendra Thacker and husband Ken. Shannon Seeley and husband Gregory, Rocio McMillian, her husband Curtis. She was blessed with Great Grandchildren, Karol McDuffie, Elizabeth McDuffie, Michael and Camron Thacker. She is also survived by nephews and nieces, and an extended family of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
We know that though we mourn her passing, as it is God’s promise, we will see her again.
Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-13:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails…And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But, the greatest of these is love.”
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