Betty Jeane Lester Paulus passed away peacefully on June 16, 2022 at the Auberge Memory Care Facility in Sugar Land, Texas. She was born on July 30, 1931, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to Ida Lancaster Lester and Herb Lester.

Betty spent many happy summers in Sand Springs with her beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, and Lancaster cousins. She often spoke of her grandfather's grocery store where she got some well-deserved spoiling. As a teenager, Betty treasured her time with her sisters Carol Ann and Helen. After high school, she worked as a switchboard operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone. In 1957, Betty met Ralph Paulus and after a month-long whirlwind courtship, they were married in Tulsa on April 22, 1957. Thus began a 47-year marriage where they were blessed with three daughters.

The Paulus family made Texas their home, setting up residence in Midland, Corpus Christi, Dallas, and finally settling in Tomball in 1979. Betty and Ralph were committed to building a firm foundation in Christ through the Lutheran Churches they attended, especially Holy Cross Lutheran Church and school in Dallas. Betty earned her associates degree at Richland Junior College and was accepted at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Gerontology. In Tomball, Betty was a Bible Study Fellowship leader for many years. She worked in Tomball ISD, at First Equity Bank, and volunteered as a cashier at Good Samaritan Thrift Shop. Betty enjoyed visiting with friends, needlework, embroidery, playing cards, reading, and of course, her weekly hair appointment on Thursday at 10:00 AM. She had a great sense of humor that kept anyone around her "in stiches", especially her best friend Joyce Bamsch.

One of the greatest joys of Betty's life was reuniting with her sisters, Carol and Helen, 36 years after their mother's death. Betty had always kept her sisters in her heart but was never able to establish contact with them. In 1985, she heard from Carol who had called almost every Lancaster in the Sand Springs phone book until she found her sister Betty's family. God's perfect timing gave these sisters a chance be a family once again.

In 2012, Betty was diagnosed with dementia and spent the last 10 years of her life in the loving care of the staff at the Auberge at Sugar Land. The Paulus family will always be grateful for the peace of knowing Betty was given the best care possible in the last years of her life.

The family rejoices that Betty is now in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Paulus. She is survived by daughters Karen Michele Paulus, Lesley Kay Paulus, Liz Paulus Bowman and husband Brad Bowman; grandchildren Mollie and Sarah Bowman; sisters Carol Duncan (husband Bill), Helen Davis (husband Sam); first cousin Marjorie Cate.

Betty will be laid to rest at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery, 1200 N. Cleveland Ave, Sand Springs, OK on Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00 AM. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00 PM on June 25 at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, 2011 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX 77479.