Betty Dirks

Betty Jean (Worsham) Dirks, 94, of College Station, Texas, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family nearby on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Betty was born in Rockbridge, Illinois on October 6, 1926, to Ora and Charlotte Worsham. Betty grew up in Jerseyville, Illinois. She was always a hard worker and good student who was helpful to her working parents. As a high school student, Betty played the trombone in the band and participated in various activities. Betty worked at the soda fountain at the local drug store.

Following high school, Betty was accepted into the Washington University School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of 18 as a young nursing student she went on her first date with a handsome and cocky 20-year-old third year medical student. Over the next eight months, as World War II was coming to an end, the romance blossomed and on June 9, 1946, Betty married the love of her life, Kenneth Dirks.

With Ken graduating from medical school and the two newlyweds eager to start their family, the following year Betty gave birth to their first of five children, a beautiful baby girl and began her lifelong career of loving, caring for and enriching the lives of children, both her own and others.

Over the course of their 62-year marriage, Betty served in the roles of a loving mother and supportive wife of a highly driven physician in the Army Medical Corps and university professor/administrator. She became proficient at moving a family of seven and establishing a loving home, moving twelve times, living in seven states and two countries abroad. Far from her close-knit family in Illinois, she readily established lifelong friendships anywhere she went. Betty's faith in God freed her to find joy wherever she lived. Always ready with a hug and a listening ear, God's love shone through her. Betty was known for her prayer life and singing praises throughout each day. Even during the most tragic and difficult moments of her life she trusted in her Lord and Savior.

After 28 years of military service, Ken and Betty settled in Bryan, Texas in 1980. Betty became an active member of First Baptist Bryan. Continuing her passion for loving and caring for children, she served in the preschool ministry and the Discovery Program. She was a member of the Eunice Sunday School Class.
Betty had a love of books and reading, games, cleaning and gift shopping (especially for grandchildren). She was a terrific cook and will be remembered for her coconut cream pie, cheesecake and corn croquettes. Betty taught her children to love and accept all people, to love God and have a personal relationship with Jesus, to serve others and our country, to have integrity and to always work hard ("apply yourself").

Betty was preceded in death by her husband (Kenneth), her parents (Ora and Charlotte Worsham), her brother (Charles Worsham), her daughter (Susan Huffman) and her sons (Jeffrey and Timothy Dirks).

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Harry Dorcus, and Melissa and Bill McConnell, all of College Station; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Bryan on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11 a.m. Interment at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio will occur on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Hillier Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Bryan, 3100 Cambridge Drive, Bryan, Texas 77802 or Brazos Valley Meals on Wheels, 203 W. 30th Street, Bryan, Texas 77803.

Her family would like to thank Traditions Home Health Hospice and the staff and volunteers at Meals on Wheels for their service and care of Betty.