Betty Jo Rusk, 96, passed away March 27, 2024.  She was born September 30, 1927 in Palacios, Texas to the late Richard "Dick" Ray and Katie Annie Williams Ray.  She grew up in Palacios with many friends and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers Richard Ray, Jr. and Billy Lee Ray.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Palacios and has always loved the Lord.

She was a fifth generation of the Thomas Williams and Captain Robert H. Kuykendall families who came to Texas from Arkansas and settled in Matagorda County, Texas in 1821.  They were members of Stephen F. Austin's old 300 in 1821.  In 1824 they received land grants at Cedar Lake.

Her education came from Palacios Public Schools.  She first attended North Texas University and graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a BS in Education.  She taught school for 34 years.

After retirement, she became an active member of the Palacios Athena and PAHA Clubs and the City by the Sea Museum.  She worked at the historic Luther Hotel for 7 years and worked at the Matagorda County Museum in Bay City putting archives on-line. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for 25 years and enjoyed Ausin's Old 300 Club until it was disbanded.

While a member of the Bay City Genealogical Society, she did research in order to receive a Historical Marker for Ashby, her mother's hometown and the Wilson Creek Area.  She also did research on the old family Johnson Williams Cemetery and restored it to receive a Distinguished Service Award from Austin.  The Cemetery Dat4s back to 1820.

She spent her time gardening, canning, reading, traveling, playing 42 and enjoying her family.  She also spent time working at second jobs.  One summer she sold World Book Encyclopedias, outselling all the southern states.  For this she won a set of large-print of World Book Encyclopedias and donated them to the Palacios Elementary School.

Betty is survived by two daughters Rachel Burns and Coqueze Schrader, two sons Geren Rusk and Ray Rusk, 17 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios.  Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM with Rev. Phillip Higginbotham officiating.  Interment will follow at the Ashby Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donatons may be made in her memory to Ashby Cemetery Fund: c/o Benny Ray Rusk; 17533 Sundancer; Jonestown, TX 78645.