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Betty Lou Robinson lived her days surrounded by those who loved her whilst shopping to her heart’s content. Contributed photo/Ashley DiMaggio
Writer’s note: This is not an obituary (a record of someone passing) — instead, this is a record of someone living.
Betty Lou Robinson, born May 16, 1928, in Breckenridge, was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother.
She lived her days surrounded by those who loved her whilst shopping to her heart’s content. Her home was adorned with beauty, that, like her, only grew more beautiful with age.
There is no telling how many times strangers passing by told Betty she was “absolutely beautiful.” She would smile and say, ‘thank you’ and probably engage in a conversation about how old she really was.
To some, Betty was known as Bayla. This nickname truly encapsulates who she was as a friend and family member: the meaning itself is “beautiful.”
Beauty to Bayla was outside as well as within. In her final years, she ended most conversations with “Be sweet” thereby encouraging the person to spread kindness and love to others. This phrase has stuck with several of her family members and will be a lasting lesson for them all.
Born and raised in Breckenridge, Betty graduated from the nostalgic Breckenridge High School. In the year of 1946, she married Dock Moon of Caddo.
In the year 1948 she welcomed the birth of her first daughter, Judy. Paula was born in 1956 followed by Janet in 1959 and Robin in 1963. Betty raised all her four girls in Texas and called the bluebonnet state her home all her life. A few of her working roles, other than Mom of course, included a phone operator, a bar owner (yes, you are reading that correctly), and a nail professional (you knew that one was coming).
A life long-lived. A life filled with love, beauty, and, above all, class. Class was the ultimate lesson from Betty. You could have nothing and still have class. She used to say when asked what she wanted, “A few kind words and a little TLC.” Her granddaughter, Ashley, learned so much from her Gran and will continue her legacy by teaching her own girls to have class, be gracious, and never forget where you come from.
Betty was born to Ewing Boyd Robinson and Ona Lucille Robinson (Henry). She was preceded in death by both her parents, her stepmother Irene Robinson, her sister Billy June Richie (Robinson), her husband Dock Moon (father to her children), the love of her life Ross Allday, her daughter Paula Jo Trussell (Moon), and several cousins and family members.
Her last day around the sun, at the age of 96, was Thursday, July 11, 2024. Betty is survived by her daughters Judy Ann Adams (Moon), Janet Lou Butler (Moon), and Robin J Boothe (Moon). She is also survived by her granddaughter Ashley Cappiello DiMaggio (Brooke Cappiello), great granddaughters Carmella and Katie, and son-in-laws Dennis Adams and Kirk Butler.
If you knew Betty, please do not mourn her. Celebrate her. Think of your fondest memories and relive them. Let her know you are thinking of her. She is above us, in that gorgeous sky, shining her love on us all. Reminding us to be sweet. Reminding us to love one another, especially family. Reminding us that life can be built on just love. And maybe a strand of pearls or two.
