Bettye Jo Dallinger

Bettye Jo Sanderson Dallinger died March 21, 2018, in Kingsland, Texas. She was 97.

Born in Brown County, Texas, Jan. 5, 1921, to Radford (R.D.) and Lillie Belle Lindsay Sanderson, she graduated from Brownwood High School, and in 1939, from Daniel Baker College in Brownwood with a bachelor of arts in drama and a bachelor of science in education. Later that same year, she began her career as an educator in Eldorado where, at 18, she taught high school seniors English and Spanish. She also was the school librarian.

She married Alfred H. Dallinger Dec. 20, 1941, in Eldorado. In 1947, the Dallingers settled in Ballinger where he opened Dallinger Hardware and Furniture Co. and she began a decades long teaching career in Ballinger ISD. She had an enduring love for the generations of Bearcats she taught. She retired in 1976 to have more time to enjoy gardening, quilting and traveling. They closed the store in 1991 when he retired. For more than 50 years her warm smile, quick wit and willingness to serve was a bright-colored thread in the rich tapestry of Ballinger. They moved to Fredericksburg in 2001 to be near their family. She was not only a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, but a lifelong, faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

Her husband preceded her in death in 2012.

Survivors include her son-in-law and daughter, Barry and Joanne Cheshier of Meadowlakes, Texas; a grandson and his wife, Jeff and Julie Cheshier of Spicewood, Texas; and three great-grandchildren, Kate, J.R. and Lillie. She is also survived by a cousin, Dan Sanderson and wife, Barbara of Arlington, two nieces, Kathy and husband, Jim Paige of Fredericksburg, and Ann and husband, Dan Tiscareno of Pittsburg, CA; and three nephews, Doug Wright and wife, Pat, of Lafayette, LA, Ralph Wright and wife, Linda, of Lubbock, and Dale Wright of Fayetteville, AR.

Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. A public graveside service will be conducted Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ballinger Evergreen Cemetery. Immediately following the graveside proceedings, a memorial service will be at 11 a.m. at Ninth Street Church of Christ with Max Pratt, minister, officiating. Guests are invited to the fellowship hall afterward for a light lunch and a time of visiting.

Memorials may be sent to the Ninth Street Church of Christ or to a favorite charity.