BETTY MCNEAL

My birth name is Betty Louise Oats, I was born in Cooper, Texas July 05, 1936 to father Jessie Lee Oats and mother Gracie Lee Oats. I am the youngest and only girl of four children born to Jessie and Gracie Oats.  My mother died when I was two years old and daddy was left to care for four children. Daddy married Sammie Moore of Fort Worth, Texas in 1944. I went to Dunbar Elementary in Fort Worth, Texas for three years. The marriage between Jessie and Sammie ended in divorce in 1947. In 1950 Jessie married Lucille Oats and my sister Williadean was born. Jessie and Mother Lucille remained married until his death July 6th 1981.

I attended Booker T. Washington (colored) school in Seminole, Texas. I love to read and have a passion for English and History. I was considered for higher remote education from HBCU Huston-Tillotson University  in 1954.

My brother McKinley Scott and father were founders of True Light Baptist Church in Seminole, Texas where our families were members. Singing is an enjoyable pastime for me. My three brothers and dad sang Quartet for churches and for hire (Dad played the piano and guitar). It was customary for the Oats siblings and their families most Fridays to  meet at our dad’s and step mother’s house gathered around a shiny baby grand black piano being played by my father; everyone sang their part in that ole’ time religion experience, eating homemade cooking, and churning (muscle power only) the homestyle salt rock ice cream machine waiting for dessert after the concert.

I am predeceased by Paternal grandparents Paul and Nancy Oats, Mother Gracie Lee Oats, Stepmother(s) Sammie Moore Oats, Lucille Oats. Son Kevin S. McNeal. Three brothers Cornelins Oats, McKinley Scott Oats; Coatis L. Oats. Two Step brothers R.C. Jackson, Albert Jackson. Two Stepsister’(s) Ernestine Jiles, Helen Glover. Granddaughter Heaven Griffin.

Survivors of the Village. Son(s) Jeffery Lee Linzy, Randall McNeal; Daughter Carylon (Cary) Linzy (Roy Calvin). Sister Williadean Parker. Grandson(s) Jonathan Linzy, Kito Johnson, Zahmar Rounds; Marshall Calvin. Granddaughter(s) Jada Calvin, Joyner Calvin; Justice Calvin. Great-grandsons, Marsayuh Johnson, Zakary Linzy, Kh’azen and Khaza Nelson; Jadeus Calvin X. Great-granddaughters Amirah and Mariah Calvin. Great-great grandson, Jahabali Johnson.

With birth comes death regardless of our terminal stations in life, the journey starts and ends the same way. March 31st 0841hrs 2021 my destination on earth completed its dash. I lived in the world, although I knew early on that I was not of the world. No matter the accolades or disapprovals during my 84 years of footprints on earth the ancient proverbs “ask that you make every day of your life a page of your history.”  I passed through time attempting to be a difference maker. I kept my heart and eyes aligned on The Trinity with the purpose of living God’s best gift. My soaring spirit like the eagle kept me in appreciation and gratitude of Grace and Mercy.  I am now eternally etched in the village with my ancestors, and in bliss of my new address beyond the gates of Heaven.

Yours affectionately and Devotedly,

Betty Louise Oats, Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Great; Great great grandmother

& Friend