Obituary of Betty Bane Anthony September 19, 1938 - December 8, 2024

Betty Bane Anthony, a beloved mother, grandmother, world traveler, accomplished businesswoman, and talented pianist, passed away peacefully at her home in Jasper, Texas on December, 8, 2024 at the age of 86.

Born on September 19, 1938 to Cleburne and Maudie Bane, Betty grew up in Nacogdoches where she developed a love for the piano. Her piano education began with lessons in second grade and continued throughout her time in Nacogdoches High School and into college. Her talents landed her opportunities to play for various groups including the Stamps Quartet and the Tindall Family. At sixteen she played for a group of adults who sang on two different radio stations and later on television. Additionally, Betty taught gospel music in churches from Texas to Georgia.

While playing at a gospel event in 1953 Betty met Joe Anthony, a local basketball player who soon swept her off of her feet. After getting married in 1957 the couple would spend most weekends leading the music for revivals. During this time the couple moved to Lufkin before settling down in Jasper in 1964 where they raised their family and embedded themselves in the community. Joe managed Texas Electric Cooperatives and Betty was the Corporate Human Resource Director for the Visador Company. Their most important work, however, was in their commitment to First Baptist Church in Jasper where Betty was Church Pianist for 32 years.

Betty’s real adventures began after she retired from both her Visador and pianist roles in 1991. Always looking for ways to experience the most that life had to offer, Betty began her Second Act by enrolling in Stephen F. Austin University earning a BBA degree in Finance in 1995. Ever the renaissance woman, Betty, also took on many new hobbies over the years including building and managing her own stock portfolio, photography, bread making, flower arrangement, cake decorating, shopping and jewelry making to name a few.

Her favorite post retirement activity, however, was travel. A true globetrotter, Betty traveled extensively, oftentimes on her own, exploring diverse cultures and ultimately visiting all seven continents. Her travels enriched her life and the lives of those around her, as she brought home stories, souvenirs, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation. She passed this wanderlust for travel to her family and her love of photography to her daughter.

Betty is survived by her son, Jay Anthony, and his wife Connie of Conroe; daughter, Angie Mossburg and her husband Todd of Flower Mound. She is most proud of her grandson, Zachary Mossburg, who is in his final year at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York and her granddaughter Victoria Keller, who is a sophomore at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville as well as our sweet Theo Keller of Conroe. Family by marriage include: Thelma Mossburg Gonzales of Jasper; Daryl Mossburg of New York, NY; Angela (David) Keller of Jasper; David (Leslie) Tucker and family of Magnolia; and Rachel (Jason) Fogleman and family of Conroe.

She is preceded in death by: her parents; her loving husband, Joe Anthony; son, Michael Anthony; grandchildren Abby & Jacob Mossburg and brother, Victor Bane.

In addition to her children and their families, we know that Betty would also want to acknowledge her extended family of Rachel and Billy Marshall, Makayla DuBose, and Abby Hippler who provided unmatched care allowing her the ability to stay in her home through her extended illness. In the short time that they knew her they became very close family and she loved them dearly. For this we are eternally grateful.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at 2:00 pm on December 28, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Jasper. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church, 314 North Main Street, Jasper, TX 75951

Betty will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those she touched.