Betty Jo (Comer) Heim

Our beloved Betty Jo Heim, our Mom, Mama, mother in love and Maw Maw passed away on December 24,2024. Betty was born to Beryl Redmond Comer and Doris Edith Bates on August 13, 1939 at Markham hospital in Longview, Texas.
Betty's early life included living in a small shotgun house in Greggton as a newborn and as a young child traveling with her dad to work destinations such as Flagstaff, Arizona for a short time.
In her early elementary school years, she went to school in the Hallsville area until their farm house burned to the ground right before Christmas. She would later recount that she saved her baby bed, a few things in the bed and her rocking chair that had been made by her grandfather Oscar Comer. She said that she "ran back into the house" to get these things.
After the fire her family moved back to Longview and she completed her elementary school years at South Ward elementary school.
Betty was a passionate lover of her pet dogs in her younger years. Her love of animals continued through all of her life and into her senior years as she thoroughly enjoyed sitting on her porch at Lake Cherokee sipping coffee with her beloved cat "Mister" in her lap. Even though she had many dogs throughout her life it was her cat who comforted her in the final years.
Betty graduated from Longview High School in 1957. She met the love of her life, Billy Lewis Heim, on a date set up by her best friend, at Myers Malt shop, the local teen hangout. Billy asked her to marry him after dating for 3 weeks. They eloped to Gladewater on October 13,1956.
The early years of their married life, they lived in Longview first before living several years in Arlington where she and Bill both worked at General Dynamics.
After moving back to Longview she and Bill were successful for many years in their real estate business while raising their two children Bret and Becky. She was active in the Zonta club and the Ladies Auxillary for the Shriners for several years. Her and Bill were active in Woodland Christian church for many years teaching vacation bible school and working with the youth. She attended Chalk Hill Community church and the Church at Lake Cherokee in her later years. Betty and Bill were avid Lobo football fans and attended games whenever they were able. Betty remained active with her "class of '57" reunion activies.
In the mid to late 90's Betty, while working for GMAC, was transferred to the call center in Seabrook where she worked for several years. She and Bill had made many special and lasting memories with family at Kemah, Galveston, Moody Gardens, Nasa and all the surrounding amenities.
Lake Cherokee was always a big part of her life. While raising their family, she and Bill always had a lake house and in later years a permanent home on the lake after moving back from Seabrook upon retirement. She was active in the First Friends and Knife, Fork and Trowel clubs.
Betty loved working in her yard and gardens and was a natural green thumb with anything she planted. She not only planted and maintained beautiful gardens and flowers in her yard and home, she also planted beautiful gardens of memories in each of our hearts. We know that she is trimming the Azalea bushes in heaven in preparation for Springtime.
Betty loved her family first and foremost and she taught us all that "family is the most important thing." She indeed cultivated a garden of love within our family.
Betty is survived by her son Bret and wife Kathryn, daughter Becky Brown and husband Bruce. Grandchildren: Sara Lopez (David), Courtney Swain (Dillon), Zach Heim (Angel) and Kelsie Davis (Calvin).
Great grandchildren: Daisy Lopez, Amelia Swain, Maggie Swain, Christina Heim, Aviana White, Josie Davis, Ziggy Heim, Maebri Swain, Sam Davis and Hannah Davis.
She is preceded in death by: Bill Heim, her eternal sweetheart, B. R. Comer, Doris Comer, Theresa Heim, Robert Comer and Kee Comer.
In lew of flowers, donations can be made to Furr Ever Pets rescue, any animal rescue of your choice, or any church of your choice.