Mary Fowler Obituary

Mary Frances Betts Fowler
06/20/1926 - 12/31/2024
Born on the Betts farm near Okolona, Mississippi, Frances was delivered by a family physician who arrived by horse and buggy. Her family moved to Weslaco, Texas, when she was six months old. A graduate of Weslaco High School, Frances was both the valedictorian and drum major; she played the flute then and for life. A 1948 graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Spanish, Frances immediately went to work as a stewardess for Pan American Airlines in Miami. She flew the Havana and South/Central American route on DC3s. Frances met Joseph "Jack" Patterson Fowler III in Houston while handing out four leaf clovers at Foley's Department Store to promote Pan Am trips to Ireland. They were married from April 29, 1951, until his death in 1997. In addition to managing the house, Frances helped manage the Fowler farm. Their daughter, Kristen, was born with Down syndrome; instead of institutionalizing her at birth as recommended, Kristen lived a full life, graduating Brenham High School and even holding a job at one point. Frances was preceded in death by Jack, Kristen; grandson, Scot; survived by sons, Matt and Grant; Matt's wife, Cheryl; Grant's fiancée, Melissa; and grandson, Cody. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Marion King Betts and Nona Mae Fowler Betts; siblings, Marion King Betts, Jr., W. Doyle Betts, and Eva Mae Betts Hamilton. Frances was eternally grateful to her caregiver, Margaret Davis, who became her dear friend. A service to celebrate her life will be held at The Carriage House at Country Place Retirement Community, in Pearland, Texas, at 11 a.m., on February 15, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Special Friends, P.O. Box 1382, Friendswood, Texas, 77549 or the charity of your choice.