Betty Kilcrease, long-time Silsbee resident and piano teacher, died August 8, 2011 at Silsbee Oaks Nursing Home. She was well known by her students and for the 60 years she faithfully served as a church pianist through her life.
Born in Pineland, TX February 9, 1934 to RE and Maysel Morgan Simmons, she was the first of two daughters, Betty and Jo Anne. The family grew up in Bronson, TX where their father worked for Sante Fe. As a child, Betty realized her life-long love of the piano, where she started lessons and accompanied church services as a young girl. She sought a piano degree from Stephen F. Austin University, but her education was interrupted in 1953 by marriage to Jack Howard Kilcrease, a soldier in the Korean War.
Together they raised 4 children, and settled in Silsbee in 1959. Jack was taken from the family in 1973, leaving Betty to raise their young family alone. She rose to the task, learned to drive and completed her college degree at Lamar University as she taught piano and raised her family alone. She supported her family by teaching piano and working at Wal Mart, while never releasing her obligation to share her talent with her church.
She has now joined her husband, parents, and sister in heaven, along with two grandchildren, Jonathan McDougal and Ambra Dawn Kilcrease.
Mourning her are her children, Debbie Nance and husband Larry, Dennis Kilcrease and wife Susan, Dawana McDougal, all of Silsbee, and Darrell Kilcrease and wife Becky of Lumberton. She was blessed with eleven surviving grandchildren, Michelle Williams, Larry Nance Jr., Randy Nance, Christopher Kilcrease, Andrew Kilcrease, Jessica McDougal, Michael McDougal, Darrell Kilcrease Jr., Brandi Fontenot, Jamie Kilcrease and Cassie Kilcrease. She was blessed with fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral Services will be at 4 PM Sunday, August 11 at Farmer Funeral Home with interment following in Kirbyville Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 6PM Saturday at the funeral home.
