Betty Ann Cordell passed away September 12, 2019 in The Woodlands, Texas. Betty was 80 years old born on January 31, 1939 in Fort Worth, Texas. Arthur P and Zora Banks Smith of Dallas, Texas adopted Betty from the Edna Gladney Home. Betty graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas in 1958, attending college at Arlington State College and then East Texas State University graduating with a degree in History and English in 1962. In May 1962, Betty married Carlie Joe Cordell of Sadler, Texas and they were married for 34 years, until Carlie Joe’s passing in 1996.
Betty taught at S&S High School teaching English (Freshman-Senior), History, Speech and Theater class starting in the early 70’s. Betty finished her teaching career at Howe High School. In the mid 70’s Betty was teaching world history at S&S and just so happened to find an article looking for home/host families who would sponsor a high school student, from a foreign country, for a school year. Betty volunteered her family and set off an extended family of children in her home from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany. The program was such a success that during a few years there were as many as 10 students from around the world at S&S and surrounding high schools. The end result changed the Cordell family and Sadler for the better. Betty also brought a love of the arts to the two high schools where she taught. Many years were spent instructing students in debate, persuasive speaking and writing and many other literary events to compete in Texas UIL local and up to state competitions. But her was passion was drama. Three times she led troops to the state competition – 1980 The Tortoise and the Hare, 1987 The Magicians Nephew and 1989 The Wizard of Oz. But many of Betty’s former students remember her best for the recitations she made each student learn – that still can be recited today!
When not teaching and on into retirement, Betty loved to travel. Often the response to a trip would be “for how long and when”! During her life she has seen most of all 50 states and many trips that she would lead to Europe with high school students every summer. Travel with her husband; her daughter; her grandchildren; college friends; co-workers; with strangers doing Elderhostel trips. Trips to Australia, Turkey, Sweden, Greece, Italy, France, to her beloved England and so many places in-between are just too numerous to list in entirety.
Betty was a lifelong, very active Methodist, being a member of the Sadler Methodist Church and was instrumental in the Sadler Methodist Church getting its historical marker in 1977. Betty was also active in many groups, organizations too numerous to include. Before starting her teaching career, Betty worked at Sears in the children’s department – working her way up to head buyer for the store.
In 2012, Betty moved to The Woodlands, Texas to be closer to her family. Betty is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Clay Spires of The Woodlands, Texas; Grandson and wife, Austin and Jennifer Spires of Denver, Colorado and Granddaughter and husband, Julie and Chase Miller of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Visitation will be held at Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Sadler Cemetery on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 10:00 AM, officiated by Reverend Doyle Henderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.
I have so many fond memories of Mrs. Cordell from English, Prose Reading, UIL One-Act Plays, and so forth. I would have never tried out for the plays had it not been for her encouragement and belief in me. I was way too shy to do it on my own. Driving/riding to different schools for UIL meets and plays were always interesting. Ah – the memory work we had to do – I thought would kill us (especially Canterbury Tales) – but can still recall some of it. The term papers and country notebooks she assigned — took forever — and who knew that I would use those same skills later on as a software documentor in my job. She was a wonderful educator that truly cared about each of her students, wanting and encouraging us to be our best, both in school and in life. She was truly a Christian woman and it showed in her daily walk as she interacted with students, parents and the community in general. What a wonderful woman – Crystal and family, you were very lucky that God chose her to be your mother, grandmother, mother-in-law — she was a gem and you were blessed beyond measure. My thoughts and prayers with you. I am unable to attend the memorial service on Saturday, but I’ll be there in spirit. May God Bless you all.
Crystal, I am so sorry for your loss.
Although I never got to meet her I felt very close. I know she must of been a wonderful lady just by getting to know Chrystal Spires! Love to you both!
Betty left a profound mark on my life and my daughter’s. She was a great source of information for Apryl when she was starting her teaching career. Bettys welcoming spirit was truly a blessing. I would like to add that she passed all those special traits on to her daughter, Crystal, which I consider a special friend.
Sincere Condolences to the family.
Thanks to Mrs Cordell I felt welcome at S&S, coming from Switzerland as an exchange student Class of 76. She will be remembered by many of us around the world for her kindness.
Mrs. Cordell, how do you write a good bye or limit the recollections of someone that you seem to have known all of your life. She exposed so many things to the children that she taught. She helped us all see beyond the Sadler or Southmayd city limit signs and fired our imaginations about “what might be”. She was an outstanding teacher and mentor but, for me, first and foremost, she was Crystal’s mom. Many will remember her almost exclusively as a teacher but for the S&S class of 1981, she was so much more. You see, Crystal was a classmate of mine. We began our academic and social lives together in the first kindergarten class at S&S and because of that, I was introduced to and was around Mrs. Cordell from as far back as I can remember. The obituary mentions many of her accomplishments which I will remember and enjoy those memories but for me, she will always be Crystal’s mom…who happened to teach English.
We have missed having Betty to share time together and to relive good times past. I am obligated to man the West Grayson Retired School Personnel unit’s spot at the Peanut Festival Saturday morning. Plan to be there Friday night however. We are making a memorial donation to Delta Kappa Gamma’s ASTEF foundation and would love an address for them to send a notification to you. I shall continue to miss Betty.
I am so blessed to have met Betty and spend time with her. I will miss her till we meet again.
You have our sincerest condolences..
She was a Great Teacher and Better Person who inspired her many students to do their best in school and in life.
Your mother was a very special person. Like my mother, a hard act to follow! I know it will be hard for a while. But, I can share with you my experience. Time makes it better. And, I think she will be with you, watching over you everyday.
A wonderful teacher that made an impact on so many young lives! Thank you, Ms. Cordell, for the memories!
Betty touched the lives of so many people. She will be sorely missed.
I will always remember Ms. Cordell for the impact she made on my life. Through her I learned to love the theatre and see the world differently. What fun we had in one act plays. The rest or my life, the life lessons I learned in theatre have served me well. From her family, we in the little town of Sadler was introduced to students from around the world as she hosted Youth for Understanding. But mostly its her love for students I’ll always remember.
Wish I could make it. I loved Mrs.Cordell as a teacher and a person. She will always be remembered. My condolences to the family.
Billy Davis
I am so sorry for your loss! I had her as a teacher and she was such a sweet lady! She was a great drama teacher ! She will be missed! Praying for each of you, may God give you comfort and peace!
I’m so sorry to hear this, she was a wonderful woman who I will always remember
Flipping through so many memories, so many LAUGHS we shared when we taught, when we traveled together. Sending love and hugs to the whole family. Betty’s spirit will remain, strong and bright and colorful, just like her. What an amazing guardian angel we have now. Hope Heaven is bracing itself for this glittering character. I know you’ll all celebrate her vibrant LIFE!
I am so blessed to have had Ms Cordell as my Theatre teacher for 4 years, and then get to go on an amazing trip to England, France and Spain with her. She ignited my passion for theatre, and it still continues today. Her guidance changed my life. I have missed her so much over the years. Every show I have ever done I have stood backstage just before curtain and spoke There is magic in the theatre and the theatre is magic, have a good show. She was one beautiful and amazing woman that blessed and touched so many lives. She will be missed.
One special lady! One of the best teachers ever. If there were more like her today the World would be a better place.
I’m incredibly devastated to hear of your passing. You made an incredible impact on my life and encouraged me to pursue different roles in drama. You were always willing to lend an ear and had a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for your patience and kindness.
Betty touched so many lives. She was such a happy person. Joe (Runt to us) and Betty are missed by everyone that came into their lives. We wish we could but will not be able to attend. Remember both your parents are watching over you from above. My you feel their love surrounding you and yours. Our prayers are with you.
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Cordell. She was my English teacher for 3 years. She will live on in my memories with fondness. I was telling my coworkers about her today and it brought a smile and some tears for this special lady. I am grateful for her time and investment in me. I was so excited when she attended my wedding back in 1993. While I can’t be there to celebrate her life I sure will be thinking about her and praying for each of you. Thanks for sharing her with the students of Howe High.
Crystal, only met your mother a few times but I could tell she was special. After reading through her obituary and all of the touching guestbook entries now I understand why. Teaching and having the ability to instill confidence in others is such a gift and wow did she have the gift. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss and may the many memories of your mom help soften your sadness.