Betty Alexander Del Rio

DEL RIO, BETTY ALEXANDER (1934 ~ 2024). The following is a family-placed obituary for Betty Del Rio, spouse of Frank Del Rio, who was approved for burial at the Texas State Cemetery by the Cemetery Committee in 2009. The obituary was published in the Austin American-Statesman on January 27, 2024. 

Betty Ruth Alexander Del Rio, age 89, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully, at home, on January 23, 2024. She was born on the family farm in the community of Primrose, between Van and Edom, on February 11, 1934. Her parents were Lee Roy Alexander and Artie Lee Fulgham Alexander.

A private family service will be held to celebrate her life. She will be buried at the Texas State Cemetery, next to her husband, Frank Del Rio.

Betty graduated from Van High School, in 1951, where she was a cheerleader and played the trumpet and French horn, in the Vandal Band. She was Band Captain and Band Sweetheart. Betty enjoyed her time playing the piano for the Primrose Methodist Church. She earned a scholarship to attend Tyler Junior College, in Tyler, Texas. Betty was a member of the TJC Apache Band and marched in the Tyler Rose Parade. A fond memory of hers was when she rode the bus to Pasadena, CA, and marched in the California Rose Parade. She graduated with a Secretarial Science Degree.

She moved to Austin, Texas, and worked for the Department of Public Safety. In 1954, she married Frank Del Rio, and they were blessed with two daughters, Dianne and Denise. In 1957, Betty went to work for a State Representative in the Texas House of Representatives and retired in 1990. She made many lifelong friends while working at the State Capitol, and she was always proud of her service for the state of Texas. Betty was a faithful member of Memorial United Methodist Church.

Betty(Moma/Mumma) was most proud to be the matriarch of her family, and she leaves a legacy of love, devotion, and generosity, as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She always told us, “Tis more blessed to give than receive.” Also, “Honor the Lord, your family, your friends, and most importantly, yourself.”

Our family would like to thank her loving devoted caregivers, as she referred to them as “her girls”.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Frank Del Rio. Also, her parents, Lee Roy and Artie Alexander, and a brother, Gerald Alexander. She is survived by her daughters, Dianne and her husband Randy Littleton; Denise and her husband Kevin Murphy; her grandson, Ryan and his wife Krystal Murphy, and their children, Maddox Alexander and Gavin James; her granddaughter, Lauren and her husband Jake Ridley, and their children, Georgia Ruth and David Joseph. Betty is also survived by her nephew, Butch and his wife Debbie Grote, and her niece, Sherri and her husband Ron Bernstein.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: New Harmony Cemetery, ? Kim Marshall, 131 Rueda Encina, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156.