Elizabeth Ragsdale Obituary

Elizabeth "Betty" Jane Neate Ragsdale walked into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 3, 2025. Betty was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1925. She was a member of the Greatest Generation. Betty was raised in a borough of Philly called Sharon Hill where she was a spunky, independent and happy child. The American flag being sewn by Betsy Ross in Philly left a big impact on Betty, she was extremely patriotic.
She loved to ice skate and "hitch" on to the bumpers of cars with her friends - sliding in the ice on frozen Philly days. Betty loved to play field hockey and she was quite good. Her competition didn't stand a chance with her in position as goalie on the Sharon Hill High School Field Hockey team. She graduated from high school during World War Il and went on to work for an insurance company.
In such uncertain times she stayed close to home but she still enjoyed a vibrant social life. She also knew how to throw an outfit together even on a frugal budget. For Betty it was all about the shoes (she was a granddaughter of a shoe cobbler after all). A glamorous duo, Betty and her best friend Mary would ride the trolley to downtown Philly, where Mary was the lead singer of a big band at the USO. One fateful evening, Betty walked upstairs to see Mary perform - sitting on a pool table for a better view, in walked a handsome pair of young fellows but the one that caught Betty's eye was a tall and quietly confident young man named Don Ragsdale. Don was a Texas native - a Navy man attending the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia. They married on September 7, 1946 in Sharon Hill and lived with Betty's family while Don finished college. Then Betty made the move to Texas with her husband and this Philly girl became a Texas transplant. They lived in a Dallas neighborhood appropriately named Pleasant Grove and soon brought three beautiful children into the world - Mark, Kirk and Lisa.
Betty was a full time homemaker and she kept an immaculate household. She ran a "tight ship" with breakfast, lunch and dinner all served at the same time daily. Sundays were church days with a bit of free time in the afternoon and a much anticipated ice cream treat in the evening. The family attended Pleasant Mound Methodist Church from 1946 until 1992. Betty was an active member of the Methodist Women, a Sunday School teacher of all ages, MYF adult leader, Parsonage committee, the list goes on and on. Every job a woman could do in the church she probably performed at one time or another. Betty and Don moved to Heath, Texas in 1992, where they attended FUMC Rockwall and lived another 11 wonderful years together. In June of 2003 Don passed away after a short illness. A couple of years later Betty bought one of the first lots in the promising Park Place neighborhood in Rockwall and a beautiful two story home with a striking red door was built. She moved in with her beloved dachshund and then the recession hit so Betty's house stood alone in that neighborhood for years. This did not deter Betty though as independent was her middle name. She loved the tranquil and pristine home that she kept. Eventually, the neighborhood did begin to fill with houses and families young and old came in droves.
For her remaining years Betty's life was filled with visits from friends and family, countless cross-stitching projects, crossword puzzles and books galore. She never missed a WNBA game, she listened to all genres of music, loved flower gardening and of course bird watching. We're all so blessed that Betty was able to maintain the upkeep of her house and herself up until 7 weeks ago. She was diligent and faithful to the care and quality of her life and with her dedication. With God's grace she was able to achieve her goal of independence and living out the rest of her life in her beautiful house on Ivy Lane. Betty had a quiet and resilient strength that burned like a flame within her. It is how she lived and how she loved. Quietly and with honor.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Neate, her brothers, Robert Steven and Roy Franklin Neate, her husband of 57 years, Don Ragsdale and her eldest son, Mark Steven Ragsdale. Betty is survived by her son, Donald Kirk Ragsdale and his wife Palmer and her daughter, Lisa Jane Ragsdale Baker along with 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and her beloved and faithful dog, Bella.
The family would like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice of Rockwall and Visiting Angels Rockwall for all their loving care, concern, and guidance, especially Joetta. The funeral will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall Texas on May 16, 2025, visitation at 10:00am, funeral at 11:00am with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 'Tis the Season Bazaar/First United Methodist Church Rockwall, 1200 E. Yellow Jacket Lane, Rockwall, Texas 75087.
2 Timothy 4 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Elizabeth "Betty", please visit our Tree Store.