Betty Jo (Peebles) Flaniken

SANTA FE – Mrs. Betty Jo Peebles Flaniken passed away at the age of 95 on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Santa Fe, Texas.

Born February 3, 1930, in Uvalde, Texas, Betty was the youngest of 11 children born to Millage E. and Rosann Miller Peebles. As a child Betty rode horses, herded sheep, kept bees and worked in the Bake Shop in Uvalde. She was a member of the Uvalde High School Band and served for a brief period as band director. In the 1960’s and ‘70’s she used her lovely alto singing voice to sing in church and at weddings.

She and her husband Bill met at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. They married January 26, 1951 and moved to Arcadia, Texas in 1952. For many years, Betty and Bill served as professional photographers. She worked on staff with the Texas City Sun as a reporter and photographer. She also served for 16 years as Adult Leader for the Santa Fe 4-H Club. In the 70’s, Betty was determined to finish her college degree. Returning to college she received a B.S. in Elementary Education and later a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Houston (downtown), May 15, 1976. She used that knowledge and compassion to help guide and better the minds of the children attending Santa Fe ISD where she spent over 30 years as a teacher and counselor for 5th and 6th grade students. Betty was a long-time member of the Texas State Teacher’s Association and the National Education Association. Having traced her family roots back to Scotland, she became a member of the Clan Hay Society and even visited Peeblesshire, Scotland and Neidpath Castle. Betty was a long-time member of Arcadia First Baptist Church where her faith and service to God was deeply rooted. She was a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union and actively raised her children in her church. As an adult she participated in several bowling leagues, enjoyed quilting, leatherwork and loved reading a good book! Betty had a quick wit, a ready smile, and a good sense of humor. She was known to be “a force to be reckoned with”, she lived her life with determination, spirit, and an unshakable commitment to those she loved.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Millage and Rosann Peebles; husband, Billy (Bill) Flaniken; daughter, Deborah Flaniken; daughter-in-law, Waylene Flaniken; brothers; William Rudolph, James Travis, Edgar B., Charles Albert, Robert Bryan; sisters, Elsie Bell, Arie Eleanor, Mattie Margaret, Rosalie Alma, Allie Mae.

She is survived by daughters, Patricia Bouquet and husband Kenneth, Elizabeth Noble and husband Robert; son, James Patrick Flaniken; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews and loving friends.

Visitation with family and friends will be from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Arcadia First Baptist Church, 14828 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas.

Memorial donations may be made in Betty’s honor to: the Arcadia First Baptist Church Building Fund, 14828 Highway 6, Santa Fe, TX 77517 or WMU of Galveston Baptist Association, 8014 Catalpa St., Texas City, TX 77591.

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