Betty Kellum

Betty Colley Kellum of Alvarado, TX,  age 94, passed peacefully into the arms of God on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 in Alvarado

Betty was born on August 8, 1924 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, the daughter of Elizabeth Jane Spicer-Lovelock Colley and Sydney William Colley.

After completing her education, she worked as a shopkeeper in her hometown. During WWII she served as an air raid spotter and worked for the American Red Cross as a bookkeeper

She met J C (James or Jake) Kellum, of Dallas, TX, at the Red Cross Center.  JC  landed on D Day at Omaha Beach and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.   The war was over and she married her handsome Texan at Christ Church on December 1, 1945. 

Betty moved to Dallas, Texas  in March of 1946. She and Jake were founding members of St John’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, where she was Altar Guild Directress for many years and organized fundraisers for the White Rock Center of Hope.

She and her husband travelled extensively and even maintained a summer home in England for a number of years.  They had friends both in Texas and abroad and hosted guests from England on numerous occasions. 

Betty maintained a second home in Alvarado for the last 25 years, next door to her daughter and son-in-law. During that time, she and Jake attended St Anthony's Episcopal Church.

After her husband’s death in 1996, and after battling and surviving breast cancer, Betty moved back to the primary residence in Dallas. 

Several years ago, she moved back into the Alvarado home to be closer to family. At that time she began attending First Christian Church in Cleburne. 

For the last couple of years she has battled Alzheimer's. 

Betty was predeceased by her parents; her only sister, Marjorie; her husband, one of her three children, Lt. John Michael Kellum and one great granddaughter, Joannah Michelle Jones.

Children surviving her include: daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and David E Price of Alvarado; son, James L Kellum of Dallas; and daughter-in-law, Laurie Gregory of Dallas. 

Grandchildren surviving include: William D Price and wife Ashley of Westminster, CO; Sarah Price Jones and Husband, Matthew B  Jones of Fort Worth; Megan Kellum Fogle Gilcrease and husband Cary Gilcrease of  Seagoville; James L Kellum II and April Stevens of Dallas; and John G Kellum of Dallas. 

Great Grandchildren surviving include: Micah B Jones, Hannah E Jones, Havah M Jones and Adah K Jones, all of Fort Worth; Weston J Fogle of Seagoville; Landen Kellum of Allen;  and step-great grandsons, Austin and Caden Gilcrease of Seagoville. Also included are future great granddaughters, Linzy Brown and Lauren Stevens of Dallas.

A memorial service is being planned at  First Christian Church in Cleburne. For time and date, please contact  the Church office or Clayton Kay Vaughn Funeral Home in Alvarado.

In lieu of flowers: please consider donating time or resources to a nursing home or charity of your choice.

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