Betty Shelton Bracken

Betty Shelton Bracken, affectionately known as “BB” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 88.

Betty was born in Palestine, Texas, on April 9, 1937, to Roland R. Shelton and Marie Stamps Shelton. Raised in Kerens, Texas, Betty gave early hints of the woman she would become… serving as head majorette for her high school band, homecoming queen, and graduated valedictorian of her class. Betty attended Baylor University, where she was an Alpha Omega, and later formally affiliated with Pi Beta Phi. She graduated with a business degree in marketing.

She enjoyed her first job as a high-end fashion buyer for women at Titche-Goettinger, often remembered as Titche’s, one of the most prominent and influential department stores during the “golden age” of retail in Dallas. Soon she would meet the love of her life, S Terry Bracken, on a blind date. They married on December 16, 1961, less than six months after their first date!

The newlyweds moved to Houston as Terry pursued his career in public accounting. Betty would work for Tennessee Gas until the arrival of her adored only child, Jennifer “Charlyn.” Even as she prepared to welcome her daughter, she strongly encouraged her husband to leave the security of Price Waterhouse to start his own accounting firm. Betty was active in the Houston community, enjoyed her time as a member of the Assistance League of Houston, but her favorite philanthropic endeavor was the Pin Oak Charity Horse show benefiting Texas Children’s Hospital… evidenced by being a leader, and top fundraiser for 15 years.

Later in life she and Terry moved to Waco, to where she reconnected with old friends and became an active member of the Harston Study Club.

Faith was core to everything Betty was. A devoted Christian, she was a longtime active member of Tallowood Baptist Church and participated in numerous Bible studies. Her faith was apparent by the way she loved… with genuine warmth and a gift for making everyone around her feel deeply loved and cared for.

Betty enjoyed traveling, reading, played a mean game of bridge, and cherished time with her many wonderful friends and family.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved parents.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Terry; her daughter, Charlyn Holmes, and son-in-law, Rob C. Holmes; grandchildren, Ashley Taliaferro (Jamie), Allison Bailey (Cole), and Baron Holmes (Flora Kate); great-grandchildren, George, Hudson, Kate, Bobby, John Dooley; and a 6th great-granddaughter arriving in May; her sister-in-law, Sarah Lou Bracken; her nieces, Betsy Bracken, Suzanne Cox (David), Sarah Lynn Gamble (Steve), and their families.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Betty’s primary caregivers, Thea and Stephanie. We love you, and you will always be family to us!

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco. You are cordially invited to wear “bright” clothing to honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty’s honor to Texas Children’s Hospital of Houston or the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Betty in her online "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.