Betty Jean Henderson Andress passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the age of 87. She was born on June 26, 1931, in Houston, Texas. Betty Jean was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rita Delasbour Henderson, her siblings - Joseph Paul Henderson, John Rea Henderson, James Henderson, Jr.  Jo Ann Henderson, and her nephew Marty Lee Montgomery.

Betty Jean attended Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School in Houston's Fifth Ward until the 8 ^th grade.  She graduated from  Booker T. Washington class of 1951.  After graduation, she began her higher education at Texas Southern University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1956. While attending Texas Southern University she pledged Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the  Delta Gamma Chapter.

She began her career as a social worker in Houston at Gulf Coast Community Services until she went back to study early childhood education and development at the Texas Research Institute for Mental Sciences, which was considered the largest mental health clinic in the state upon its closing in 1985. At that time Betty Jean went to work for the Texas Department of Corrections until sh retired.  Throughout her life she worked tirelessly to provide a safe environment and educational    experiences for vulnerable families and children.

She loved and cared for her husband, children and the Sunnyside community where she and her     husband bought a home and lived from the day they married. As early  as the 1970s Betty Jean was a supporter of local art, theatre, and entertainment, a habit she passed on to her children. She regularly attended Houston's Ensemble Theatre, featuring African American entertainment and held season tickets to Houston's Alley Theatre.  She supported local dance companies and enrolled all of her   children in dance lessons.

She was dedicated to supporting her community and church.  She taught CCD classes at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, i.e., religious education program of the Catholic Church).  Under the auspices of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Betty Jean   organized and served as Troop Leader of a Girl Scout Troop in 1970. She was very active in founding and organizing community events for the Cloverland Civic Club in her beloved Sunnyside neighborhood.

Betty Jean leaves behind to treasure her memory three children, Joseph Edward Andress Jr., Lauri Aleta Andress (Dennis Harris), and Inger Andress Richard (Earl), and daughter-in-law Nanalie Porter Andress. Her loving and devoted sisters,  Retha Mae Anderson (Lonnie) of Henderson, Texas and Debra Montgomery (Howard) of Corpus Christi, Texas, two grandchildren, Joseph Jamal Andress (LaKeisha) and Marcus Elliott Richard, and her former husband, Joseph Edward Andress, Sr. She will be missed by her son-in-law Earl Joseph Richard Jr. and his older children Michelle, Earl III, and Phillip.  She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, and goddaughters who will miss her.