Betty Ann Chandler Cardiff, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home in Katy on December 15, 2023. She was 98 years of age.
Betty was born on July 23, 1925, in Enid, Oklahoma to Shirley and James Chandler. The family moved to various towns in Oklahoma and Texas following her father’s career at Shell Oil Co. In 1933, the family settled in Brookshire, Texas where Betty attended Brookshire Primary School. In 1942, she graduated from Katy High School at the age of sixteen as salutatorian of a class of sixteen. She attended Sam Houston State Teachers College for two years. Betty returned to Brookshire and joined Humble Oil Co. (Exxon) at the Katy Gas plant where she worked as a secretary for three years.
While attending Katy High School, Betty met the love of her life, John Cardiff, the son of a local rice farmer and cattle rancher. Betty and John were married on January 3, 1945. After a brief honeymoon in San Antonio, John left two weeks later for service in the Pacific Theater where he served for the next two years. While John was serving overseas, Betty, with the help of John’s father, Charles Cardiff Sr., built a home to surprise John upon his return from the service. This was the home where she lived for the next 76 years in Katy until her death. After John returned home, he joined his father and three brothers raising rice and cattle ranching, and Betty began organizing the home and raising their family.
Early on, Betty was active in functions involving her children. Most memorable was when she and John chaperoned dances at the Katy VFW Hall in the 1960’s with unknown entertainers at that time, Roy Head and BJ Thomas. A few years later, their son, Wayne, began his music career in a band called The Customs. Always the gracious hosts, Betty and John welcomed Wayne’s band rehearsals at their home, until a few windows were shattered from the sound. The band moved their practice to the garage. She was a member of the Twentieth Century Club since its creation in 1948 and remained active until her death. Betty was a charter member of the Katy Hospital Volunteers and served as a volunteer for 25 years. Because of her love for gardening, she was also involved in the Katy Friendship Garden Club and had a tree planted in her honor. In 2001, she was acknowledged as Katy Senior Citizen of the Year for her volunteer efforts within the community.
The most important things in Betty’s life were her children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This was evident from the multitude of birthday dinners, family celebrations on Lake Buchanan, fun times in the mountains of Crested Butte, Colorado and the all-important Christmas day lunches that were always held and overseen by Betty at her home. She had a talent for decorating, and her home was her showcase. For many years she decorated for the 4 changing seasons. Chicken and rooster decorations were brought out to begin the new year and bring in the spring and then followed patriotic, 4th of July decor for summer. In late August her home would be transformed for fall and adorned with turkey plates and pumpkins. Decorating for Christmas is where her talent shined brightest. It made the holiday truly special. Amazingly, she continued this seasonal endeavor until the age of 94! Other loves of Betty’s were traveling and antiquing. She was an original Round Top shopper from its inception in 1968 at the Rifle Hall until just a couple of years ago, and her worldly travels allowed her the opportunity to make some great finds. Betty lived a full life of joy, laughter, and love.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband John William Cardiff, son Wayne Chandler Cardiff and parents Shirley and James Chandler. Betty is survived by two daughters, Gwen Cardiff Wall and her husband John Wall of Houston, and Diane Cardiff Murphy, and her husband Mike Murphy of Katy, her four grandchildren, Carlie Orlando of Houston, Megan Deen and her husband Matthew of Fort Worth, Lauren Ditchman of Houston, and Jonathan Ditchman and his wife Morgan of Katy, and six great grandchildren, Carter Orlando, Chase Orlando, Molly Deen, Thomas Deen, Harper Ditchman, and Hayes Ditchman.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Schmidt Funeral Home East Avenue Chapel, in Katy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Katy First United Methodist Church with Rev. Marlin Fenn officiating. Interment in Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Mike Murphy, Jonathan Ditchman, Matthew Deen, Tommy Stunson, Carter Orlando, Chase Orlando, Thomas Deen,
Honorary Pallbearer will be John Wall.
The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful and loving care given by: Bayou City Hospice Right at Home In Home Care & Assistance Berta Arocha Lisa Woods Linda Williams.
In lieu of the usual remembrances, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284, www.Heart.org.