Betty Jo Tow

Betty Jo (Brown) Tow raised her hands and left this world to be with her Lord, with a smile, on May 13, 2024 in Amarillo.  

She began her teaching career at Sam Houston Jr High in the 1960s, then taught English at her alma mater - Amarillo High School - for 21 years.  From 1974, Betty also sponsored 10 years of summer trips to Europe through the American Institute of Foreign Study.  Many of the students who traveled with her became lifetime friends.  Passionate about her work and always a mentor, she touched the lives of thousands of young people. She retired in 1990.  

Betty was the first college graduate in her family, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from West Texas State University as a young mother.  

She was born August 15, 1934, to Algie and Leta Brown, farmers in New Home, Texas.  Her loving sister, Barbara Jean (Brown) Hilliard preceded her in death in 2016.   When she was in high school, Betty Brown moved to Amarillo. Frank Tow lived at the end of the block, and it wasn’t long before Frank and Betty met. Seven months later, in 1951, they married, and shared 66 years together.  The most important decision Betty ever made in her lifetime was at the age of 12 when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Frank always said the reason they had many years together was because God was head of their family and led them in making big decisions. 

Betty and Frank were members of Paramount Baptist Church from 1963. She could readily recite the 60-year sequence of Paramount pastors and was always happy to rank them if you asked! 

Betty and Frank traveled extensively. They were most comfortable in their RV, and after retirement they were nomads for many wonderful years.  They were part of travel trailer communities at Pendaries Park in Rociada, NM in the summer, and wintered in Fredericksburg TX. They also traveled with several RV clubs. 
Betty was well-known in quilting shops and circles around town.  She was a dedicated genealogist and made many friends across the country pursuing that hobby.  She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, The Pilot Club, the Business & Professional Women’s Club, T.S.T.A., and local Genealogy Teachers Retirement Clubs. 

Betty is survived by Doug Tow and Laura Covington of Lubbock, and Scott and Marcy Tow of Sachse. She was “Nana” to her four grandchildren: Jesse (and Raena), Hayley, Hogan (and Shellye), Jeremy, and to her six great grandchildren.

Sincere thanks to all the family and friends who faithfully visited Betty, bringing her favorite meals and good conversation. Folks around the country called for a weekly chat, and that meant the world to her.  The staff of The Ware Nursing Center and BSA Hospice Care provided professional and compassionate care for many years, and in her final moments. 

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, June 15th at 2:00 pm at Paramount Baptist Church (Building A – Worship Center).  

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Betty’s memory to the Georgia Kern Memorial Scholarship Fund at Paramount Baptist Church:  3801 S Western St, Amarillo TX  79109; or to SquareMile Community Development: P.O. Box 7926, Amarillo, TX 79114.