Obituary

Long-time Kress resident Bettye Jo Hays, 85, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, in Tulia. Mrs. Hays was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Corsicana, Texas, to Joseph T. and Viola Criswell Martin. She graduated from Plainview High School and attended nursing school in Lubbock. She had planned on a career in the U. S. Navy Nurse Corps, but the Second World War ended before she completed the R.N. program. Bettye was very proud to be a nurse, a farmer-rancher's wife, mother of five and homemaker. While working as a nurse, she met her future husband, Paul Hays. Betty was sent to prepare Paul for his surgery and according to her, it took multiple attempts to get the sheet lowered enough to shave the required area for the appendectomy. In 1948, Bettye and Paul were married in a double wedding along with Paul's twin sister, Pauline, and her fianc?, S.A. Barrett. The couples have lived within a few miles of each other since their marriage. Mrs. Hays was a member of the Kress Church of Christ. Bettye is survived by her husband, Paul; sister, Hazel Nell Gregg of Colleyville, Texas; son Kim T. and wife, Donice, of Kress; son, Kelly and wife, Delana, of Dumas; daughter, Jeanne and husband, Ronnie Askew, of Lubbock; son, John and wife, Cece, of Dumas; son, Joe and wife, Roxi, of Lubbock; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; as well as scores of nieces and nephews. Condolences may be sent to Paul Hays, 8607 FM 145, Kress, TX 79052. Private family services were held Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, under of the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Plainview. Her nephew, Steve Barrett, officiated for the family burial.