Betty Lou Harlan

Funeral services for Betty L. Harlan, 78, of Gainesville are set for Saturday December 10, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., in the Geo. J. Carroll and Son Chapel with the Reverend Kenny Phelps officiating with burial to follow in the New Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday December 9, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Betty passed away on December 7, 2016 in Denison.

Betty Lou Henry Harlan was born at home in Mountain Springs, Texas to Forest Noble and Lillie Mae Fraley Henry on November 18, 1938. She graduated from Valley View High School in 1956. At the age of 17, she moved to Dallas with two girlfriends to work. She married her Marine, James Lee Harlan on January 9, 1959 in Mountain Springs, Texas. She and Jim enjoyed living in Virginia while he served in the Marine Corps, and she proudly served as Staff NCO Wives President. Upon his retirement, they moved to Gainesville and she began working for First Presbyterian Church, Grand Avenue Baptist Church and finally at Gainesville Memorial Hospital. She was Business Office Manager until her retirement in 2000. Betty enjoyed shopping, cooking meals for friends and family, and supporting her favorite sports teams. She will be especially remembered for her fried potatoes, fried squash, love of jewelry and pretty dishes, and her beautiful table settings. Her generous and giving heart, kind words and love of her family will be remembered.

Betty is survived by: daughter Michele Plemons of Gainesville, daughter and son-in-law Diane and Scott Henry of Gainesville, and son James Lee Harlan Jr. of Denison. She is also survived by grandchildren Katie Long of Lake Dallas, Meagan and Jeff Hance of Gainesville, Jared Henry of Gainesville, Melanie Plemons of Gainesville and Wesley and Kendall Plemons of Yuma, AZ. Great-grand children include Tyler and Christopher Long, Mikaela and Brody Hance and Keeley Plemons.

She was proceded in death by her parents, Brother Alvin Ray Henry, sister Maurine Tuggle, husband James Harlan and son-in-law Kim Plemons.