On October 27, 2012, with her family by her side, Betty Ruth Parker Fowler passed away from this life and moved to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Betty was born on February 22, 1932, in Duncan, Oklahoma to Cecil Merchant and Eva Pauline (Moran) Gates. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lumberton and enjoyed playing the dulcimer with her husband, James V. Fowler and the Southeast Texas Dulcimer Friends. She and James spent many years traveling with friends in the RV around the United States.

She retired from the City of Beaumont having served as executive secretary for three chiefs of the Beaumont Police Department. Betty had also served as president of the Professional Secretary Association.

Survivors include her husband of twenty-one years, James Vance Fowler; children, Brenda Louise Parker Chance, Paula Ann Parker Schooley, Vickie Lynn Fowler, Peggy Aileen Parker Brown, and James Douglas “Doug” Fowler; grandchildren, Robin Leigh Chance Ward, Tarah Aileen Beadle Sanchez, Roy Alan Patterson, David Ira Beadle, and Ruth Ann Schooley Kerns; great-grandchildren, Ana Gabrielle Herrera, Raymond Jacob Herrera, Micah Anthony Sanchez, Gabriel Aaron Sanchez, Brinley Grace Patterson, and Cade Alan Patterson.

A gathering of Mrs. Fowler’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at First Baptist Church, 1206 South Main, Lumberton, with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 8067, Lumberton, 77657.