Betty Bacon

Betty Bacon, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away Monday, November 23, 2015.
Elizabeth Anne Buchanan Bacon was born August 10, 1930, in Dallas, Texas, the first of two children, to Cecile Stewart Buchanan and Lester Boyd Buchanan.

Though her family moved from there briefly, Betty spent her growing-up years in Dallas, where she was an exceptional student, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School at the age of 16. She attended Southern Methodist University on academic scholarship and graduated cum laude in 1950, majoring in Spanish and Home Economics.

Betty met her husband Richard F. Bacon at SMU, and the couple married August 18, 1950.

While in college, Betty worked as fashion model for Neiman-Marcus, representing Texas in Italy and France, as well as working as a model for Sanger-Harris and Titche's department stores.

In 1950, she won the title of Miss Fashion Plate, a Revlon-sponsored modeling competition, earning, among other prizes and gifts, an all expense-paid trip to Bermuda, which she and Richard enjoyed for their honeymoon.

The couple moved to Abilene in 1957, when Richard joined Merchants Fast Motor Lines, where he worked until his retirement in 1989.

Betty was active and tireless civic worker, serving two terms as president of the Abilene Woman's Club. She was especially proud of her long tenure as chairman of the Taylor County Republican Party; she dutifully attended many state conventions as a voting delegate.

She is remembered by many in the congregation as the longtime first-grade Sunday School teacher at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

She was an active member of the Panhellenic Council of Abilene, the Abilene Garden Club and Los Aficionados.

She was a passionate advocate, volunteer and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and the United Way of Abilene.

Betty was well known for her beauty, poise and carriage, as she frequently modeled in fashion shows at Abilene Country Club and the Woman's Club. She was widely regarded among the best dressed women in Abilene.

After their three sons graduated from SMU, Betty and Richard traveled all over the world, enjoying every exotic destination they discovered, as well as the tranquility of their cabin in Ruidoso, New Mexico. She was an avid reader, moviegoer and a longtime supporter of the Abilene Community Theater.

Betty is survived by Richard Bacon, her devoted and loving husband of 65 years; sons David Bacon and wife Susan of Abilene; Dan Bacon and wife Terry of Arlington, and Randy Bacon of Albany, Texas; her brother Bill Buchanan and wife Carol of Boerne; grandchildren Chad, Jennifer, Michael and Kate Bacon; great granddaughter Emery Bacon; several nieces and a nephew.

A celebration of Betty Bacon's life will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 27, 2015 at Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 US HWY 277 S. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene.

Pallbearers will be brother Bill Buchanan, grandsons Chad and Michael Bacon, and sons David, Dan and Randy Bacon.

Contributions in Betty's memory may be made to Wylie United Methodist Church, the acquisitions fund at The Grace Museum or to the charity of your choice.

Service

Cemetery