Betty Elisa Martin Sitton September 25, 1943 – September 16, 2021 Betty Elisa Martin Sitton left this earth in the early hours of Thursday, September 16, 2021. A committed and devout woman of Catholic faith, she loved going on motorcycle trips with her husband, Jim, dancing with her sons and grandchildren, and she was so proud of belonging to a big family. Betty was an extremely patient, present, and non-judgmental person, always making time to listen and encourage those in her sphere who may have needed a little extra loving attention. She was never too busy for others and always made time for their needs. She was warm, generous, and loving; all who knew her loved her. Betty is survived by her husband of 47 years, James R. Sitton and their three children whose spouses she loved as her own: Ryan (Jennifer) Sitton, Friendswood, TX; Erin Sitton (Kevin Roarty), Arvada, CO; and Zach (Steffanie) Sitton, Midlothian, TX. Her 10 Grandchildren: Sarah Sitton, Luke Sitton, Liam Roarty, Lance Sitton, Wyatt Roarty, Mary Sitton, Dayle Roarty, Annie Sitton, Emily Sitton, and James B. Sitton. Her four dear step-children: Beverly, Bambi, Vicki and Greg. And all 8 of her siblings: Bonnie Martin Turner, Judy Martin Lam, Diana Martin Thatcher, Jim Martin, Peggy Martin Russell, Pam Martin Gibbs, Penny Martin Anderly, and Don Martin. Born in Dallas, Texas in 1943 to Silvie and Jimmy Martin, the second oldest of 9 children, Betty learned at a young age how to care for others as she helped to patiently nurture her younger siblings. She attended Our Lady of Good Counsel (LGC) in Dallas where she graduated as Valedictorian and National Merit Scholar in 1961. She followed her Catholic faith and later that year joined the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur where she was able to live in the convent in her grandparents’ home country of Belgium, an experience she treasured. She later attended the University of Dallas where she earned her B.A. in Chemistry, with honors, in 1969. She later obtained her M.A. in Chemistry, in 1977, from the University of Texas (Arlington), and an M.S. in Counseling from the University of North Texas in 1998. While in her undergraduate studies, Betty chose to faithfully serve her Lord through the high calling of becoming a wife, mother, teacher, and church leader focusing on the needs of those she loved most deeply. She taught chemistry at Irving MacArthur High School from 1969 - 1975, took time off to raise her young children, and then returned to teaching at North Lake College followed by Cistercian Preparatory School where she served as a teacher, Science Department Chair, and later, Campus Counselor. She remained happily immersed at Cistercian until her retirement in 2015. Some of Betty’s most meaningful work came from her 40 years of serving the community of Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church in Irving, Texas. Betty worked in the Altar Guild, was a Eucharistic Minister, sang in the choir, worked as a Counselor, and eventually became the Director of Christian Initiation (RCIA) helping the parish to grow dramatically. Betty was indefatigable as she taught all day, held counseling sessions, and then hit the road to church where she would spend long nights both working and praying in her community to help build the church she so loved and in which she so passionately believed. Betty finally succumbed to her long battle with Alzheimer’s in her home in Midlothian, the home that she built with Jim for their retirement years. Her family watched her struggle through this disease for nearly a decade and because of this, they are incredibly grateful that she finally has peace at the end of her long journey. Her husband and three children were with her for her final days – a cherished blessing for the family. Betty will be sorely missed by the countless lives she touched as wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, teacher, and counselor. Her immediate family are personally and forever grateful for the rich and full years they were able to share with her. Her love for God came first, and because of this great love, she was able to demonstrate, easily, her capacity for intimately treasuring each member of her family. They knew and felt love because of her obedient example. Giving love so generously could not help but enrich every life she encountered, for to know Betty was to know love. Recitation of the Rosary, Funeral Mass, and Celebration of Life reception will take place on Betty’s birthday, in honor of her life, Saturday, September 25 at Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church in Irving. Rosary, 10:30 AM, Mass, 11:00 AM, Reception, 12:00 PM. Interment of her ashes will take place on family land in Navarro County in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations to Catholic Charities are gratefully accepted; ccdallas.org/donate, Catholic Charities Dallas, 1421 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247.