Betty Sue LaRoe

February 15, 2021

Betty Sue Cruise LaRoe, 89, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend went back to the Lord on Monday February 15, 2021. Born in 1931 in Terrell, Texas to Maud Lois Sharrock Cruise and Sidney Lanier Cruise, both of Terrell, Texas, as their 3rd child. She attended Terrell schools, was Drum Major and Football Queen and graduated Terrell High School in 1948. She was crowned Vetch Queen in Kaufman County’s then annual Vetch Festival. In 1954, she married, her husband of 46 years, James K. LaRoe Jr (also of Terrell, Texas) in Maracaibo, Venezuela while working for Brown & Root Construction Company. They made their home on Poetry Road in Terrell, Texas for over 40 years raising 2 sons, James K. LaRoe III and Daniel J. LaRoe. Betty loved and was very active in her church, Episcopal Church of The Good Shepherd, Terrell, Texas for many years including the church vestry and was also active in many charities including Notre Dame School of Dallas. She helped bring tennis to Terrell in 1970s and loved to play, was a voracious reader, a painter with friends and expert level at crosswords. She especially loved bridge with friends, although claiming not be expert level at that. She had many friends including many lifelong friends and loved to laugh but most of all loved family. She especially loved her grandchildren Sydney Ayn LaRoe, James K. LaRoe IV, Jagger Cole LaRoe and Savannah Victoria LaRoe, as their “Gammy”. Betty was a true matriarch as a hands-on presence in her family's life, attending sporting and school events of her grandchildren as well as spreading love every holiday, birthday and summer vacations. Every Sunday was spent with her family watching football or just hanging out enjoying lunch or dinner. Betty is survived by her son Jim, his wife Nicolette LaRoe, Betty’s close friend and daughter in law of over 24 years, and her grandchildren, all of Dallas, Texas and son Dan and his wife Michele LaRoe of New Braunfels, Texas. Throughout her life, everyone who met or knew Betty smiled or laughed because of her quick wit and ever-present sense of humor. She had a signature style and true grace that was her hallmark. She was predeceased by her mother, father, husband Jim and brothers Sidney Lanier Cruise, Jr and Richard Texas Cruise. We will miss her greatly but her impact on our lives and her memory will last forever. Due to the pandemic and associated risks to friends, the family will have a small service at 10am on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Terrell, Texas with a public committal service at 11:30am at Oakland Memorial Cemetery In lieu of flowers, please send any donations In the Memory of Betty LaRoe to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 200 W College St. Terrell, TX 75160, 972-563-2412.