Ms. Betty Elliott's Obituary
Betty Jean Elliott, aged 85, died peacefully on June 18, 2014 after complications from an earlier hip fracture. Betty was born on July 18, 1928 in Sterling, Oklahoma, the daughter of Hosea Guy (Jack) Payne and Gladys B. Wallace. Betty grew up as the second oldest sibling during the depression in Cyril, Oklahoma where she learned at an early age to work the garden, milk the cow, churn the butter, can food and tend to the hogs and chickens with her four sisters and two brothers. For the Payne's, like so many families during that time, it was crucial that the children work to help provide for the family's well-being during very difficult times. In 1954, Betty married the special man in her life, Dr. John S. Elliott, while he was in his internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Their first son, John S. Elliott, Jr, was born 1954 in Kingsville, Texas where many of Betty's family resided. After Dr. Elliott spent two years in the mid 1950's as the medical director in the pacific U.S. territory, Yap islands, Betty and the Elliott family eventually moved to Syracuse, New York for Dr. Elliott's surgical residency where their second son, Steven S. Elliott was born in 1960. Betty and John Elliott, Sr. and family moved back to Texas in 1961 after he completed his residency. They decided to move to Houston, Texas after John was offered a position at the Lawrence medical clinic in southeast Houston. Betty had been involved in many pageants in the early 1950s so when an opportunity arose in 1968 she participated in the Mrs. Houston pageant and was eventually crowned Mrs. Houston, 1968. This led to her being appointed by the Houston Mayor, Louie Welch, as honorary "Houston's Goodwill Ambassador." She spent the next year traveling to many Texas cities, presenting to their mayors the key to the city of Houston, Texas. Mrs. Elliott, as a housewife and concerned citizen, became interested in doing more in her community so she tried her hand at politics in Houston. Her most success occurred in 1975 when she ran for the at-large city council position, district C, and placed second out of 11 candidates with 33,031 votes (19.6%). This led to the first run-off election in history of Houston politics with a women candidate. As a woman in Houston politics, at that time, she truly was a pioneer. Betty is survived by her sons Steven and John, her grandson, Eric, sisters Lois Conner and Shirley Fowler and brothers Bobby and Jack Payne. The family wishes to thank all of those who helped care for her during her last illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to the Foundation for Hope Village, 15403 Hope Village Road, Friendswood TX 77546 (www.hope-village.com).
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