Betty Joan Stretch

Betty Joan Stretch passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday March 9, 2016 in Mesquite Texas at the age of 83. Betty was born on August 27, 1932 to John William Matlock and Nellie May Bennington Matlock. She married her first love, Albert Lee Stretch and together they had 2 beautiful daughters. After 25 years of marriage, Albert passed away. Betty found love again and combined families with Roy Alton Hickson. They shared 40 years together. Betty is preceded in death by her grandparents Guy Elsworth Bennington and Maude Claire Bennington,her parents John William Matlock and Nellie May Bennington Matlock, 2 uncles Cleo Leroy Bennington and Alvin Guy Bennington, 2 aunts Pearl Mary Bennington and Patricia Andrews and a sister Ila Rae Matlock. She is survived by her two daughters Donna Stretch and Sandra Balthrop both of Mesquite Texas, four grandchildren Misty Jo Rhodes and husband Tony Rhodes, Timmy Wayne Hickson, Danny Lynn Hickson, Alan Lee Hickson and wife Stephanie Hickson;five great grandchildren David Wayne Rhodes, Crystal Nicole Lunn, Rebekah Leigh Hickson, Ethan Michael Hickson, and Aaron Hickson; andgreat, great grandchildren Brailey and Zoey Lunn. Her brother Harlan Dean Powell, two sisters Caroline Sue Powell and Freddie Mae Mullins and numerous children and grandchildren from her life with Roy that she loved as her own. Betty never met a stranger and was a blessing to many people. Some of her favorite things to do were gardening, long walks in the woods, fishing and hunting, watching her daughter Sandy sing Karoke and her other daughter Donna clean her room, she loved to sing and dance and always looked forward Rene's poppyseed cakes every holiday. Animals were a very important part of Betty's life. She thought of Skitters the dog as her baby and loved Skitters very much. Family was the most important thing to Betty. She enjoyed going to all Family gatherings and spending time with her kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always taught her kids to respect others. Even though her "momma"/grandmother had been gone for many years, the love Betty had for her was great. Betty will be missed by everyone that she knew.