Betty Jay Birdsong was born to Jay J. Ross and Emilie Phillip Ross on December 30, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas. She was named after her father. Her middle name was his namesake.

Her father worked civil service in San Antonio. Her mother, Emilie Phillip Ross, was born in Boerne in 1891. Betty died on October 25, 2023, in Boerne, Texas, at the age of 94.

Betty graduated from high school in San Bernardino, California, in 1946. She pursued her post-secondary education and graduated from Incarnate Word College, now the University of the Incarnate Word, in 1951. She worked for the Nix Memorial Hospital and Santa Rosa Hospital as a laboratory technician.

Betty married her husband, Lewis Birdsong, on November 27, 1952, and together they had four children. In 1975, they moved their family to Boerne. Betty had a tremendous love for family and community. She led scouts, school and church activities which included religious education and volunteering at church festivals. She also served on the altar society and the pastoral council.

Betty was instrumental in preserving the old St. Peter’s Catholic Church which was built in 1923. The old church with its mission style became part of the new church.

Betty’s love for learning continued throughout her life. She acquired her real estate license and also took agricultural classes to maintain the family farm, which was established in 1853.

She joined the genealogical society, spending countless hours tracing her Phillip ancestry and preserving the integrity of the cemeteries and the monuments. She devoted a significant amount of time and effort to restore the historic Kreutzberg Cemetery.

She is survived by her two sons, Jay Birdsong and his wife, Kristen, and Michael Birdsong; one daughter, Bernadette Vogel and her husband, Robert; four grandchildren: Nicole Birdsong, Sarah Birdsong, Marissa (Nick) Alonso and Myka (Keith) Schake; one great-grandson, Noah Alonso; her niece, Gerianne Canny; and nephews, Jeff High and Steve High.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay J. Ross and Emilie Phillip Ross; her sister, Joyce Sellberg; her husband, Lewis; and her son, Lewis Frederic.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 6, 2023, at Ebensberger- Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne from 5:30-7 p.m. with Recitation of the Rosary starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Boerne. Reception to follow immediately after the Mass in Cana “B” Ballroom.

The graveside ceremony will take place at Kreutzberg Cemetery, 10 Lewis Rd, Boerne at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Hill Country Animal League.

To leave condolences, visit www.ebensberger- fisher.com. Arrangements with Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.