Betty Frances Tice Specht

After nearly 91 years of an eventful and fruitful life, Betty Frances Tice Specht has moved on to her eternal home in heaven. There she joins her parents, Neil Clinton and Lodema F. Bennett, her brothers Robert Neil and William Clinton Bennett, many dear cousins, extended family and friends. As in her earthly life, we expect Betty’s Uncle John Bennett to be hosting a family reunion and fish fry on the banks of the heavenly version of the Clear Fork of the Brazos.

Between her home birth on Abilene’s Jeanette Street May 12, 1930, and her passing at Abilene Hendrick Hospital South at 8:42 p.m. on February 24, 2021, Betty lived in Texas, Missouri, Hawaii and Texas once again. From homes in Abilene, Rockport, Richardson, Houston, Fredericksburg and Sugarland, and campsites at myriad state parks she embraced her home state.

Nonetheless - and much longer than made her children comfortable - she explored the natural beauty of the United States from Alaska to Maine, by Casita camper, car, ship and plane, both intrepidly alone and with family and friends. When she was not on the road, she used her gardening and home remodeling skills to wonderful effect.

Betty is survived by a vibrant and loving family including her daughters Susie Liddell, Vicki Camp, Becky Tice and son Marc Tice. They are residents of Richmond, Texas; Aurora, Colorado; Abilene, Texas; and Houston, Texas, respectively.

Among them, they blessed Betty with 14 grandchildren, Mike Liddell, Ashlee Liddell, Pannill Camp, Melissa Camp, Alex Jennett, Ben Jennett, Elysia Jennett, Austin Tice, Meagan Tice Malone, Jonathan Tice-Zelaya, Jacob Tice, Abigail Tice Edaburn, Naomi Tice and Simon Tice. Each of them has been blessed in return by their Gma Betty’s love.

Betty’s legacy also includes a growing tribe of 10 bright great-grandchildren: Paloma, Cecilia, June, Willa, Scarlett, Maia, Carter, Stella, Wyatt and Samantha.

At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2021, an Abilene memorial service will be held at Wylie United Methodist Church, 3430 Antilley Road. This service will also be live-streamed at:

Betty Specht Funeral Live Stream - Saturday, March 6 10:00 a.m.

A graveside burial service will follow later in Rockport, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either of two institutions which gave Betty enormous pleasure: the Abilene Zoo and the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra.