Betty Louise (Sorrells) Rex

May 25, 1930 - September 17, 2024

Betty Louise Sorrells Rex was born the only child of Guy Sorrells and Iva Sparks Sorrells in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 25, 1930. At a young age, Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior, leaning into her faith daily to embody and share it. Through fierce devotion and prayer, Betty inspired others to love and trust God, at the same time drawing people of all backgrounds to her personality with light and joy.

The deep musical roots of her family would come to mark her own life and destiny. As a young lady, Betty studied for two years at the Stamps Baxter School of Music in Dallas, Texas, where she would meet a fellow student, Lonnie Rex. They married on April 8, 1948, at Agnew Pentecostal Holiness Church in Oklahoma City.  They went on to settle in Tulsa for most of their lives and raise three children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Sometimes Betty played piano alongside Lonnie, noted for his high concert style, but she became sought after in her own right for her spirited gospel sound.  Throughout her life she regaled church services, historic revival meetings and conferences of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church with artful hymns. Most joyfully, though, she filled her own home with music, especially late at night.

Betty was a true Proverbs 31 woman. She guided the household and oversaw family businesses while Lonnie pursued missions work around the world.

From 1954 until 2005, Lonnie and Betty were members of Evangelistic Temple in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the church founded by Oral Roberts after his Tulsa Camp Meeting Revival in 1953.

There, Betty faithfully served as the church pianist for 35 years, a true dream of hers.

In 2005, Lonnie was working with a ministry that requested he move to Houston. Together, they did. They began attending Glorious Way Church where they have been treasured members and examples for their faith. After Lonnie's passing in 2021 Betty remained active in the church, sharing love and laughter with the entire community of believers, and eventually with the caring staff of Capstone Senior Living facility.

Betty is survived by her son, Royce Rex and daughters, Patricia Carnes (David) and Debra Parker (Cliff), sister-in-law LaDonna Rex Scott, and grandchildren Ryan Rex, Greg Rex, Summer Rex, Steve Rex, Patrick Carnes, Mitchell Bowen, Garrett Bowen, and Connor Bowen, as well as 18 great grandchildren, nieces, Kimberly Rice and Kristen Welch and nephew, Kyle Scott.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband Lonnie Rex, grandson Christopher Carnes, parents Guy and Iva Sorrells, and aunts Vernice, Ethel, Joann and Vera, and brother-in-law Norman Scott.

Funeral Services will be held at Glorious Way Church – 11611 Champion Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77066 on Monday, September 23, 2024. A visitation begins at 1:00 pm, with a funeral service at 2:00 pm and a reception immediately following