Mary Frances Betts Fowler

June 20, 1926 to December 31, 2024

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Mary Frances Betts Fowler, 6/20/26 til 12/31/24
Born on the Betts farm near Okolona, Mississippi, Frances was delivered by a family
physician who arrived by horse and buggy. Her family moved to Weslaco, Texas, when
she was six months old. A graduate of Weslaco High School, Frances was both the
valedictorian and drum major; she played the flute then and for life. A 1948 graduate of
Baylor University with a degree in Spanish, Frances immediately went to work as a
stewardess for Pan American Airlines in Miami. She flew the Havana and South/
Central American route on DC3s. Frances met Joseph (Jack) Patterson Fowler III in
Houston while handing out four leaf clovers at Foley’s Department Store to promote Pan
Am trips to Ireland. They were married from April 29, 1951, until his death in 1997. In
addition to managing the house, Frances helped manage the Fowler farm. Their
daughter Kristen was born with Down Syndrome; instead of institutionalizing her at birth
as recommended, Kristen lived a full life, graduating Brenham High School and even
holding a job at one point. Frances is preceded in death by Jack, Kristen, grandson
Scot, survived by sons Matt and Grant, Matt’s wife Cheryl, Grant’s fiancé Melissa, and
grandson Cody. She is also preceded by parents Marion King Betts and Nona Mae
Fowler Betts, siblings Marion King Betts, Jr, W. Doyle Betts, and Eva Mae Betts
Hamilton. A service to celebrate her life will be held at The Carriage House at Country
Place Retirement Community in Pearland, Tx at 11 AM on February 15, 2025. In lieu of
flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Special Friends, P.O. Box 1382,
Friendswood, Tx, 77549 or the charity of your choice.