Betty Pinkerton

In the early morning hours of May 3, 2026, our precious Bettye Pinkerton, 94, passed peacefully from this life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her daughter was at her side. Born Bettye Ruth Blanton on September 18, 1931 in Eliasville, Tx, to parents Horace G. and Maranna Blanton. Two siblings followed, Charles (Sonny) and Dan Weldon. Her brothers were her best friends and partners in innumerable shenanigans, which they gleefully passed down to us younger ones with laughter unto tears. They were blessed to have each other for 85 years. The family settled in Newcastle, Tx, where Bettye went to school. She was a cheerleader for the Newcastle Bobcats. She was active in sports, but her favorite was volleyball. Reports from teammates at a school reunion said that this 5'9" beauty was unstoppable at the net. When the war was over, those boys just longed to come home, heal up, find a sweet girl, get married, and start a family. In 1946, Bettye caught the eye of a handsome young Marine, Charles Raymond Pinkerton (Pinky). They dated for a year and were married on December 28, 1947. Raymond was a welder by trade, so they followed the oilfield jobs for a while. They shared 48 years together. Their first child, Gary Don, was born in 1948. In 1950, their daughter, Cyndi Kay was born. The family settled in Winters, Tx. It was the first year of The Seven Year Drought and things were pretty grim. Bettye longed for the Brazos River, tall grass, and oak trees. She called her mother and said she didn't think she could stay in this ¨jumping off place¨. Her mother assured her that she could stay wherever her husband could make a living, and so she did. Getting involved in the church, school activities, and town projects, Bettye learned to love the town, and the town loved her. And 75 years later, she laid her head on her own pillow, in her own bed, in her own safe home in Winters, Tx, and passed just as she had requested. During their time in Winters, they established Winters Welding Works and Winters Oilfield Supply. Bettye had four great loves. Her Lord Jesus, her family, the outdoors, and the piano. Her first love was being a true servant of God, beginning at an early age when she was baptized into Christ. She never passed up a chance to help those in need, whether it was helping a grieving brother raise a newborn baby, helping kids with college expenses, buying school clothes, school supplies, groceries, or putting a family on our milk route bill so the kids would have milk and juice. She became a member of the North Main Church of Christ at the age of twenty and was very active until her later years. She let her light shine, and it was obvious to anyone who knew her that it was genuine. She passed that enduring faith down to her children and grandchildren. Bettye's second love, family, was the love of her earthly life. She took great delight in being involved in all their activities, making sure that our house was always open to our friends. She was active in the community. Serving on the library board and the housing authority board, active in the hospital auxiliary, and a founding member of the Winter's chapter of the American Cancer Society. Bettye's third love was nature. She spent hours in her yard; outside was her happy place. Working in her garden, taking her kiddos fishing, or just sitting under a shade tree drinking her coffee and reading the paper. She was in her element. Lastly, nothing was any closer to her heart than her music, especially when it came to the piano. Her daddy recognized her God-given talent when he witnessed her go up to a friend's piano and begin to play a tune by ear. In no time, the five year old had a brand new piano in her home, and her daddy never regretted it. After ten years of music theory, she still played mostly by ear and could play any song she had ever heard, in any key. She delighted us kids by playing us to sleep most nights. She often played for the nursing home residents. That same piano sits quietly in her living room, waiting for someone to sit down and play. Her talent was truly a gift from God and will be greatly missed. Preceding her in death were her mother and father; her husband, Charles R. Pinkerton; her son, Gary Don Pinkerton; and her brother, Charles (Sonny) Blanton. Survivors include daughter Cyndi K. Ashley; daughter-in-law Martha Pinkerton, and a brother Dan W. (Trini) Blanton; sister-in-law, Peggy Blanton. Grandchildren - Scott (Betsy) Pinkerton; Jim (Renee) Hatler II; Melissa (Keith) FitzGerald. Great grandchildren: Danielle (Aaron) VanNuys, Abbey Hatler and Brock, Emmy, and Trevor FitzGerald. And two great great grandsons Kash and Kreed VanNuys. As well as many special nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of North Runnels Home Health, Interim Hospice of Abilene, and Tacarra Belk for the loving care that you gave to Bettye. Your knowledge, skill, and dedication made it possible for us to fulfill her wish to stay in her own home. May God bless you richly. A celebration of a life well-lived will be held on Saturday, June 6th, at 2:00 PM. at N. Main Church of Christ in Winters, Tx. Officiating will be Bob Martin. The family will host a visitation and refreshments immediately following the service in the Church Fellowship Building. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winters Public Library, North Runnels Hospital Auxiliary, or the charity of your choice in memory of Bettye. We mourn because she is no longer with us in body. But she will always be with us through sweet, sweet memories. Because she left us a faith to live by, we know we will be together again. For this is what the LORD says... ¨As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.¨ -Isaiah 66:12, 13 NIV

Betty Pinkerton

September 18, 1931 - May 3, 2026