Family in memory of Betty Kirby Budlong

Betty Jo Budlong was born 3/26/27 to George Mason Kirby and Virgie Mae Williams in Dexter, Texas where her family raised cattle. Throughout life, her love for the land was unswerving. Even in her 70’s, she was known to mow a pasture or repair a fence. Betty graduated from Gainesville High School. Married to Gerald Edward Budlong, they raised two children, Garth Robert Budlong and Peggy Karen Budlong Simpson. Betty finished her college degree and began teaching in the late 60’s for Denton ISD, where she worked for more than three decades, mostly at Frank Borman Elementary in 5th grade. She was active in Denton Bible Church. Betty participated in many activities and trips sponsored by the Denton Senior Center, which she greatly missed in her last few months.

Siblings Karen Budlong Simpson and Garth Budlong made a donation to the North Central Texas College Foundation to establish a scholarship fund to honor their mother, Betty Kirby Budlong, who began her college career at NCTC.
Karen and Garth, along with Budlong’s grandchildren Teri Budlong Humphrey, Robert Budlong, Owen Simpson Buntyn, Grant W. Simpson III, and Kyle Simpson Brown, donated $20,000 to establish the Betty Kirby Budlong Scholarship.
“Mom taught school until she was 69 years old,” said Karen Simpson, “and substitute taught after she retired until she was 80. She was truly dedicated to education and she would be very pleased with this scholarship.”