Betty June Bates Rasco

Betty June Bates Rasco, age 87, passed away Monday, October 24, 2016 in Corpus Christi. A graveside service will be celebrated on Saturday, October 29, at 2 PM, at Cobb Cemetery, Thornton, Texas, with Brother Larry Wilson officiating. She was born on November 15, 1928, to Alton David Bates and Ollie Birdie Dryman Bates in Thornton, Texas. She graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1945. Betty was a descendant of Seth Hurin Bates, a settler of Fort Parker, a survivor of the Fort Parker Massacre, and a citizen of the Republic of Texas. She met James Lamar Rasco at a community dance at Fort Parker. Lamar had just returned from duty in the South Pacific and was in his Army Air Corps uniform, and it was love at first sight. After a whirlwind courtship, they married 45 days later on April 19, 1946. They were married 68 years at Lamar’s passing in 2014. Betty and Lamar moved to Corpus Christi in 1950 and she was a devoted mother of 2 sons and a daughter. She enjoyed participation in book clubs, ballroom and square dancing, and was a devoted Bible reader. She was an excellent cook, which she learned from her mother. Her dinners and welcoming home provided many wonderful family memories. In her mid-forties, she returned to school to earn her Associate Degree and LVN Certification from Del Mar College, competing at the top of her class. She worked as a nurse until her retirement. Betty is survived by son Dennis and wife Carol of San Antonio, Texas, son Dale and wife Patsy of Corpus Christi, Texas, and daughter Diane Rohe and husband Mike of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She leaves 5 grandchildren, Dr. Drew Rasco and wife Dr. Sarah Rasco of San Antonio, Texas, Amber Henderson and husband Joe of Southlake, Texas, Ryan Rasco of Loveland, Ohio, and Tola Rohe, and Natasha Rohe of Idaho Falls; also 4 great grandchildren, Audrey and Solon Rasco, and Anna and Will Henderson. She leaves her brother-in-law Solon Rasco of Missouri City, Texas, and her sister-in-law Jo Ann Rasco of Deer Park, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Fleta Mae Keck, and Sharon Kay Dockery.