Betty Lou Means, 82, of Amarillo, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. She was born in Minot, North Dakota on October 29, 1942, to Percy and Fern (Nelson) Ryan. Betty later married Gerald (Jerry) D. Means on March 4, 1966, and moved to Texas via a Honda motorcycle with Gerald to their home for the next 59 years in Jones Creek, Texas.
She worked 25 plus years with the Brazosport Independent School District at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School as a Head Custodian, where her diligent work ethic and kind heart touched the lives of countless students and staff members. She also devoted her time to the hobbies she loved, which were as diverse as they were fulfilling. Betty had a passion for traveling, exploring new places and cultures, always returning home with fascinating stories and cherished memories. At home, her kitchen was a sanctuary, filled with the mouthwatering aromas of her baking and cooking, the result of which was always eagerly anticipated by her beloved family. In quieter moments, she could be found sewing, crafting beautiful quilts, playing card games, or putting together intricate puzzles. Her green thumb brought life and color to her home, as she lovingly tended to her house plants.
Betty was also fond of animals, which included hummingbirds, dogs, and cats.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Fern Ryan; husband of 59 years, Gerald D. Means; brothers, David and Dennis Ryan; grandchildren, Crystal Camfield, Derek LaPointe, and Joshua Zavala; nephews, Gary Ryan, George Ryan and his son as well.
Betty is survived by her sisters, llene (Marvin) Huwe and Fern (Neil) Westergaard; sisters-in-law, Margaret and Josephine Ryan; daughters, Tammy Scoggins, Stella (Greg) Means, Kimberly (Miguel) Moreno; grandchildren, Stephanie (Angela) Scoggins, Tracy Scoggins, Catherine (Mikey) Slough, Cirk Jr. (Crysal) Camfield, Autumn LaPointe, Summer LaPointe, Daniella Marteniz, Mickey Means, Raymond I| (Heather) Juarez, Nathan (Bailey) Zavala, Alicia Molano, and Chad LaPointe; great-grandchildren, Kyla Valles, Pyper Camfield, Ashlynn and Audrie Slough, Aleena Gonzales, Mia and Antonio Valdez, Karsyn Schuelke, Ashton Martinez, Jayden Cameron and Aariah Means, Shaun, Caiden, Derek, Alizé, Raymond Ill Juarez, Zachary, and Zoey Zavala; and numerous other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial Services will begin at 12:00 p.m. noon on September 20, 2025, at mom and dad’s old house in Jones Creek, Texas.
Dear Family, My love, prayers, and sympathy are with you all in the loss of your mom and grandma. I wish I had seen her in these later years, but she is in such a wonderful place now with your dad and grandpa and other loved ones.
We enjoyed being neighbors with Betty and Jerry.
Really good people.
Prayers to her families and friends as they remember her.
Betty was my auntie, my dad Dennis Ryan’s sister. I have fond memories as a little girl being with Betty, Jerry and my cousins Tammy, Stella and Kim. I always had fun with them! Betty was so kind! She was forever smiling and laughing! We’re all praying for the family.
Good bye for now Aunt Betty.
Life’s travels took us far apart in distance.
I wish I could have known you and your family better.
My condolences to Tammy, Stella, Kimberly and your families.
Rest in peace Aunt Betty.