BETTY JEAN (SPARKS) CARTWRIGHT

Betty Jean (Sparks) Cartwright was born on January 4, 1928, to Audra (Ford) Sparks and Ernest Sparks in San Augustine, Texas. In 1946, she married the love of her life, Baxter Polk Cartwright, Jr., and they shared 59 wonderful years together. Betty Jean lived a joyous and fulfilling life for over 97 years, and she was called home to be with her Heavenly Father on June 11, 2025.

Betty Jean graduated from San Augustine High School with the Class of 1945. During her seventh-grade year, she became the drum major for the high school band. At a young age, her beautiful singing voice was discovered by a talent agent, who offered her an opportunity to move to Hollywood. However, her father encouraged her to stay humble, and the family chose to decline the offer. Betty Jean continued to share her gift of song with the community, even performing for troops passing through town.

At just 14 years old, she began working at Home Life Insurance Company, where she later became an officer, serving there until the mid-1980s. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where she was a member of the Pine Burr Social Club, served as a soloist for the college band, and was voted Campus Beauty.

A proud member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Betty Jean was a charter member of the Ezekiel Cullen Chapter. She was also a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and, in the 1950s, served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts.

In 1967, she launched her career in real estate by founding Cartwright Real Estate, a business she continued to broker until 2019. In the 1970s, Betty Jean made history as one of the first women to serve as president of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1971, she and her husband became successful Amway Distributors. Betty Jean was raised in the First United Methodist Church and later became a student of Christian Science.

Betty Jean greeted everyone with a radiant smile and a warm embrace. She was a spiritual pillar to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her faith was not just something she spoke about—it was something she lived. Her well-worn Bible, with frayed pages and a spine held together by decades of devotion, was never far from her side. Verses were underlined, pages marked, each one a testament to her deep and abiding love for the Word of God.

She believed wholeheartedly in the power of prayer and never hesitated to pray—by name—for family, friends, church members, and even strangers. Many of us are walking in answered prayers we never knew she prayed. Her life was her sermon. Through her example, she taught us to trust God in all things. Her faith was woven into every aspect of her life.

We find comfort in knowing that her legacy is eternal. Betty Jean didn’t just teach us how to live—she taught us how to believe.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Ford Sparks Cartwright and his wife Becky; her daughter, Kalitah Bernice Cartwright; granddaughters, Deanna Jean (McBride) Metcalf and her husband Bryan, and Pamela Marie McBride; great-grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Metcalf, John Baxter Polk Metcalf, Kolby Bryant, and Kyndel Bryant; Andrea Cartwright and her mother, Nara Soun Chhay.

She is also lovingly remembered by her special caregivers: Keda Jackson, Buelah Jackson, Teronica Malone, and Lily Davila.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Baxter Polk Cartwright, Jr., and her grandson, Andrew Ford Cartwright.

 A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel. Visitation will take place from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Baxter Polk Cartwright, Jr. and Betty Jean Cartwright Memorial Endowment

Stephen F Austin State University

P.O. Box 6092, SFA Station

Nacogdoches, TX 75962-6092

Checks Payable to SFASU or Stephen F Austin State University

Put the name of Memorial Endowment on the Memo Line of Check

Visit www.WymanRobertsFH.com for memories and condolences.