Betty Hyatt

Betty Jean Hyatt, 94, left this earth and joined our Heavenly Father November 6, 2026. She was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 26,1932, the daughter of Harry Hodge and Sophie Risk-Thompson. She married the love of her life Edward A. Hyatt on December 18, 1955 and together they remained in Christ for 59 years until his death May 13, 2015. During their life together they welcomed one son, Michael Edward, in 1958. Betty was a class of 1950 graduate of Byrd High School in Shreveport and attended Norton Business College. She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951 during the Korean War, one of the first groups of female Marine recruits. After completing basic training in Parris Island, South Carolina, she proudly served her country for two years in San Diego, earning her the high honor of being listed on the First Women in War Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. She then worked in a civilian capacity for the United States Air Force at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana where she met Ed. After Ed completed his military service they moved to Indiana, where Ed was born and raised, and bought a farm in 1959 which the family still owns today. Betty enjoyed farm life, gardening, and canning produce with her mother-in-law Elsie Hyatt and served as the Worthy Grand Matron in southeastern Indiana Eastern Star. However, a yearly camping trip to visit family in Shreveport was always on the calendar. Over long snow bound Indiana winters, she blossomed and excelled as a painter, became a notable artist, and had many of her paintings in art shows in the area. Her family still cherishes her paintings today. Betty and Ed became Florida “snow birds” upon Ed’s retirement. They enjoyed travels together to many countries in Europe as well as several years driving across the U.S. pulling the “Miss Madison” hydroplane. Their time in Florida was spent participating in senior activities and were avid traveling performance square dancers. Betty was always a very devout Christian. She started her religious journey at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Shreveport, then joined Shelby Christian Church in Versailles, Indiana. In her later years, Betty relocated from Florida to an assisted living facility in Magnolia, Texas which was close to her sister Linda. Betty would be at Grace Chapel in Magnolia with Linda just about every Sunday and loved it there. Betty would always have a smile on her face when she was around family, especially her grandkids. To Mike, Betty was a Lebanese Marine some of the time, but a loving mother most of the time. And she loved her family all of the time.

Betty is survived by her son Michael Hyatt and his wife Debbie who reside in Saint Cloud, Florida, and her four grandchildren: Heather Christian and her husband Dustin, in Beaverton, Oregon, Krystle Breakall and her wife Sarah Beyers in Madison, Indiana, Zachary Smith in Denver, Colorado, and Kaley Hyatt-Crewe and her husband Ian in Mascotte, Florida, along with two great-granddaughters: Zoe Maldonado and Phoenix Stanford in Beaverton, Oregon. Betty was preceded in death by her brother Harry Thompson, and is survived by her sister Linda Burley of Magnolia, Texas and sister-in-law Rosemary Thompson of Shreveport, Louisiana, along with numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved her: Christie, Shaun, Jonah, Benjamin, and Charlotte Conley; Timothy (Lucie) Burley, and Katherine (Davis) Farr; David and Pam Thompson; Kenneth Thompson; Wanda and Warren Vandine; and Angela and Byron Hardey. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, November 14 at 1:00 pm at Grace Chapel, Magnolia, Texas. Eastern Star Services will be held on Monday, November 23 at 11 a.m. followed by a memorial service at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Randy Thieman officiating. Betty will be buried with military honors in her final resting place next to her beloved husband Ed in Saint Cloud, Florida at the Mount Peace Cemetery in December. Memorials may be given to the Shelby Christian Church or the Benham Cemetery in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home.