Obituary of
McCleary, Bette Shelley
Bette Shelley McCleary was born June 14, 1948 in Stuttgart, Germany and died April 15, 2020 in Carrollton, Texas.
The daughter of a U.S. Army Major and decorated veteran of WWII and Korea, Betty was born abroad after the end of WWII and spent most of her first eight years in Germany, Austria and Italy. The influence of nannies from those countries gave her some fluency in both German and Italian languages by the age of six. She delighted in communicating for the family when they were in restaurants or other public places.
Bette moved back to the states in her early childhood with her younger brother, Michael Shelley, and they eventually settled in Irving where she graduated from Irving High School in 1966.
Bette attended Jacksonville Baptist College and graduated from Dallas Baptist University with an undergraduate degree in English, and later earned a Masters Degree in English from the University of North Texas. These degrees prepared her for teaching in the Irving ISD early in her career. After 13 years of teaching, she spent the remainder of her career in education publishing with large publishing companies, where she excelled in consulting for educational textbooks and course of study materials.
Bette loved to sing from an early age, especially with her brother, and often shared her talent at church and school concerts. We know that Bette is singing in heaven today because of her personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Bette is survived by her husband of fifty years, Bob McCleary; her son, Brad McCleary; her brother Michael Shelley; and her pride and joy twin grand-daughters Claire and Camille McCleary.
Services will be under the direction of Dr. Brent Taylor from First Baptist Church at The Fields in Carrollton, TX.
Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of McCleary, Bette Shelley
Mrs. McCleary, was my English teacher in 1976. I was a sophomore at MacArthur High School. She was a nice lady and a good teacher.
David Hicks
Thursday October 13, 2022
Mrs. McCleary, was my English teacher in 1976. I was a sophomore at MacArthur High School. She was a nice lady and a good teacher.
Betty was a wonderful person . My prayers are with all the family.
Danny Holifield
Thursday October 13, 2022
Betty was a wonderful person . My prayers are with all the family.
I consider Bette’s friendship to have been a real blessing over the years. I recall us going together into the NICU to see our newborn twin granddaughters for the very first time. We stood together and cried tears of joy and gratitude at the same time. Despite her illness, Bette always inquired about the well-being of others. Our granddaughters were our common interest, and when three more of mine arrived, she gleefully “ adopted” them as her own as well. I miss her so much already, but am comforted in knowing she is safe with Jesus.
Trish Smink
Thursday October 13, 2022
I consider Bette’s friendship to have been a real blessing over the years. I recall us going together into the NICU to see our newborn twin granddaughters for the very first time. We stood together and cried tears of joy and gratitude at the same time. Despite her illness, Bette always inquired about the well-being of others. Our granddaughters were our common interest, and when three more of mine arrived, she gleefully “ adopted” them as her own as well. I miss her so much already, but am comforted in knowing she is safe with Jesus.
Bette was such a wonderful and fun friend. Whenever we got together, we took up right where we left off. She loved blue and had a great sense of style.. she could see gradations of color better than anyone I have ever known. If I asked her opinion on something, she would say it is ok, but it is “gerreen.” She is the only person I have ever known with a beautiful blue dining room table. I can still hear her beautiful singing voice on the video I made of her singing to Brad at an early birthday party in her backyard. Every News Year, we remember with great fondness the happy New Yea’s Eve we spent with Bette and Bob dancing the Locomotion. Our dear, beautiful Bette is now dancing above the blue skies, and her has added her beautiful voice to the angel choir. Pat and I will live her and miss her until we meet again in Heaven. Love always, Pat and Sandi MacKenna
Pat and Sandi MacKenna
Thursday October 13, 2022
Bette was such a wonderful and fun friend. Whenever we got together, we took up right where we left off. She loved blue and had a great sense of style.. she could see gradations of color better than anyone I have ever known. If I asked her opinion on something, she would say it is ok, but it is “gerreen.” She is the only person I have ever known with a beautiful blue dining room table. I can still hear her beautiful singing voice on the video I made of her singing to Brad at an early birthday party in her backyard. Every News Year, we remember with great fondness the happy New Yea’s Eve we spent with Bette and Bob dancing the Locomotion. Our dear, beautiful Bette is now dancing above the blue skies, and her has added her beautiful voice to the angel choir. Pat and I will live her and miss her until we meet again in Heaven. Love always, Pat and Sandi MacKenna