Betty Venable

Betty Jane (Cooke) Venable, age 85 passed away Friday evening, November 4, 2022.

Betty was born September 19, 1937, in Ellis County near Reagor Springs, to Frank and Una (Slocum) Cooke. She was the youngest of 12 children in a close-knit Christian family. She was nicknamed “CRADYHONK”. Betty went to school in Ennis and graduated from Ennis High School. In 1957 she met Sonny fell in love and married January 23, 1958. They loved life together and had three children Kathy, Leanne, and Kyle.

Betty worked for Owens-Corning Fiberglass as a secretary. In the 70’s she began her real estate career at Brown Realtors. She was mentored by her very dear friend Dorothy Brown. She became a Broker and opened Betty Venable Realtors where her sister Mary Evelyn designed her 1st logo. During her career she partnered with Vera Kamerbeek and opened Prudential Realtors. Later she sold to Coldwell Banker where she partnered for over 30 years with her daughter Leanne. She became a leader in the real estate community and was a past president of the Ellis County Board of Realtors. She was voted “Best of the Best”, “Realtor of the Year” and “Best Realtor in Midlothian”. Betty was always willing to help others, she loved real estate and sold half the homes in Waxahachie at least once.

She loved to play cards, dominoes, put puzzles together and play “WAHOO” with her family. She loved to go on vacations with her children and listen to her brothers play bluegrass music.

She always said, “I’ll do what I want when I want.” And she lived by it!  Her laughter, funny faces and the sparkle in her eyes will live in our memories forever.

Betty is proceeded in death by her husband Sonny of 61 years, along with her Mother and Daddy. Brothers, Hollis Cooke and wife Beatrice, Fred Cooke and wife Anna, Ralph Cooke and wife Juanita. Sisters, Phama Garritson and husband Loyd, Ina Mae Nash and husband Wesley, Genieva Dyess and husband Wesley, Frankie Lord and Mary Evelyn Patman. Brothers-in-law, Red Dyess, Bill Venable and wife Nell and Sister-in-law Elaine Venable.

Betty is survived by Daughters, Kathy Zieschang and husband David, Leanne Davis and husband James, Son Kyle Venable, and wife Tracy.  Brothers, Wendall Cooke and wife Marva, Billy Cooke and wife Evelyn, Sister, Larue Dyess, Sister-in-law, Martha Pace and husband Karl, Brothers-in-law, Donald Patman and Lemuel Lord. Grandchildren, Tiffany Linebaugh and Randall, Alisha Gober and Kennith, Michael Zieschang and Elizabeth, Kaitlyn Zieschang and Addison, Bailey Venable, Caden Davis and Blake Venable. Eight Great-Grandchildren, Roman Lee, Byrdee Jane, Lockee Lee, Goldie Maree, Dovey Faye, Allie Lynn, Jackson Rein, Adeline Wren and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Betty was a member of Brown Street Church of Christ. She devoted her life to Christ.

A thousand “Thank You’s” to Timber Rock House and Girls.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the love and tender care they showed our MOM. God sent Debbie and Andy Corkin into our lives through Real Estate. They are well loved and cherished by Betty’s family.