Elizabeth "Bettie" Jean Brandon

            Elizabeth (Bettie) Jean Brandon, 92, of McKinney, Texas, formerly of Franklin, PA, went home to be with the Lord on July 5, 2024, in her residence with her loving family by her side.

          She was born August 17, 1931, to Lawrence and Iva Norris in Franklin, Pennsylvania, just a few miles from the first oil well discovered in the United States.

          Elizabeth graduated from Franklin High School in 1949. She loved playing the violin and even played at her own high school graduation. She worked in the accounting department of the Joy Manufacturing Company for several years. On a blind date she met the only love of her life, John Nelson Brandon, of Cranberry, PA. The beautiful couple was married on June 26, 1954. They settled in El Cajon, California, where she worked for several years with the Ford dealership.

          A miracle daughter, Debra, was born to the couple on March 5, 1968. The family moved back to Pennsylvania to be close to their family and their roots. After a reminder of the harsh winters, they moved back to sunny California to pursue a variety of business interests.

          In November 1978, the family moved to Kerrville, Texas, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. John and Elizabeth purchased H & F Trophies and operated it for 20 years before selling it for the more subtle life of retirement.

          Mrs. Brandon began a lifelong interest in the Order of the Eastern Star on December 22, 1958. She held many offices in the Kerrville O.E.S., but cherished serving as Worthy Matron and her husband, John, as Worth Patron from 1988-1989. She was also very involved with John in the Shrine Band. They enjoyed traveling with the Shriners on several trips, but their two favorite trips were to Alaska and Hawaii.

          Elizabeth’s greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends. She never met a stranger and was so kind to everyone. She and her daughter had an incredible bond.

          Elizabeth dearly loved her two grandchildren and was thrilled to have a front row seat to all their activities through the years. She enjoyed decorating, planting flowers in her garden, cooking, traveling and just enjoying life.

          Elizabeth was a former member of the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville, Texas.

          She is survived by her daughter, Debra Jean Smith and her husband, Dwayne, of McKinney, TX. Her grandchildren, Dalton D. Smith, of Bryan, TX and Daylin E. Smith of McKinney, TX.  She is also survived by her sister Phyllis Snyder and husband, Reverend John Snyder of Kittanning, her sister-in-law, Louise Aaron of Franklin; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

          In addition to her parents and loving husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret Norris, Dorothy Norris Barger, Barbara Norris Nestor, her brother-in-law’s, Elmer Barger, Robert Nestor and Henry Aaron.

          Friends will be received at the Cranberry United Methodist Church, 7212 Rte. 322 in Cranberry, PA at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 10th. The Memorial Service will immediately follow in the church at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Tom Phillips officiating.  Inurnment will be held after the service in the Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry.

          In lieu of floral arrangements, the family suggests memorials be made to Shriners Children’s, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

          To express online condolences to the family, visit www.hilebest.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth "Bettie" Jean Brandon, please visit our floral store.