Bettye Ruth West

Bettye Ruth West, 86, died Thursday, June 15, 2017 at her home in Groom, surrounded by her children. A celebration of her life will be held 2:00 PM Monday, June 19, 2017 at Groom United Methodist Church, with Rev. Todd Dyess, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa.Bettye was born July 16, 1930 in McLean, Texas, one of five children of William Elton and Maggie Ruth Johnston. She eventually made her home in Groom where she lived for sixty-five years. She met husband Jack West in McLean and they were married in 1952. They moved to Groom where she was a homemaker. In 1963, she and Jack became owners of the Groom Truck Terminal on Route 66, retiring in 1983. They were inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992. During the 1980’s, she was the co-owner of the Rock House Gallery. Later she and Jack operated Points West Antique Store. Throughout Bettye’s life, she was a faithful member of the Groom United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, Bible school director and Board Trustee. Bettye was an avid artist who displayed her many talents through tole painting, macramé and counted cross-stitch. Most of her finished pieces were shared with family and friends. The historian of our family, she compiled album after album of photographs of the West and Johnston families, from the 1800’s to the present. We will miss most her love of family and her sharp wit. Bettye never failed to recognize family members’ special days by sending cards year after year. She and Jack hosted the West Family Reunion in Groom for years and held numerous family New Year’s Eve parties. The family being together, celebrating important events and holidays, was so important to Bettye and Jack. It is a tradition we will carry in our family always. She is survived by her son Jim West and wife Carol of Victoria; three daughters Margaret Hardin and husband Rodney of Cedar Park, Shirley Culver and husband Steve Wesson of Salado, and Alice Wells of Salado; eight grandchildren, Austin, Andrew, Chloe, Billy J., Mandy, Russell, LonAnne, and Kristi; thirteen great-grandchildren; brother, Will Elton Johnston and wife Helen of San Angelo; sister, Martha Barker of Shamrock; much loved nieces and nephews, and many close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, her parents, two brothers, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one son-in-law. Family requests memorials be made to Groom United Methodist Church, 303 E. 2nd, Groom, Texas 79039; Groom Fire Department or Groom Ambulance Service, both at 203 Broadway, Groom, Texas 79039. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM Sunday, June 18, 2017 at Carmichael Whatley Funeral Directors in Pampa.