Betty Ann Barrow, 93, well-known Dentonite, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on April 28th, 2015.

Betty Ann was born Elizabeth Ann Fladger in Denton, Texas on January 27th, 1922 to Joe and Betty Fladger. She attended Denton High School, Washburn College, and North Texas State College. She married Welby Williams, a Navy pilot and former track star at North Texas State, in1943. The couple had three daughters, Wendy, Candy, and Darby, and a son, Mark.

In 1953 she was widowed when Welby died in the line of duty. She and her three daughters also endured the loss of Mark, her youngest, within just a few months of Welby's death. It was during this time of terrible loss that she renewed her friendship with Frank Rawls Barrow, whom she had known since high school.

Frank and Betty Ann married in 1954 and began their lifelong partnership as parents, business owners, civic leaders, and shining lights in Denton's historic community theater. The couple had two more children, David and Mike, and settled into their home at 817 Bolivar Street, an address that would become synonymous with good times, warmth, love, and acceptance for all those whose lives would be touched by Frank and Betty Ann in the coming decades.

From 1959 to 1962 Betty Ann would serve as First Lady of Denton during Frank's tenure as mayor. Among other duties during that time, she once played hostess to Lady Bird Johnson, who found in Betty Ann a kindred spirit when she discovered that the Mayor's wife had sewn her own clothes.

From 1966 to 1981 Betty Ann was Frank's partner in the Varsity Shop, the Varsity Shop His and Hers Boutique, and the Four Seasons clothing store for men. As the manager of the His and Hers Boutique, Betty Ann had the opportunity to show off both her sewing skills and her prodigious imagination. She thrived in the anything-goes era of mod clothing and did custom sewing for both Phyllis George and Mean Joe Green.

It was during this same period that Betty Ann and Frank became involved in the Denton Community Theatre, and from 1970 until Frank's death in 2006 she co-directed, acted in, and costumed scores of shows with him by her side. They starred together in shows like The Gin Game, On Golden Pond, Harvey, and many other productions, which almost always played to packed houses anxious to see the couple in their newest show. The pair was awarded both the CARA and Josh Awards for their contributions to the theatre.

After retiring from the clothing business in 1981, Betty Ann and Frank partnered with Donna Trammell to direct her shows for Texas Toast, a non-profit fundraising organization. The first production they directed for Texas Toast, "A Slice of Texas Toast," was produced in Tyler, Texas by daughter Darby. The show raised over $25,000 in one night for Tyler's Episcopal School. The Barrows and Trammel would go on to raise money for such projects as the restoration of the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, The Hippodrome Theatre in Waco and other worthy causes throughout the state.

After Frank's death, Betty Ann continued to act, costume, and consult for productions at DCT. In 2007, she received a national award for the hat designs she created for DCT's production of Crowns, which won the American Association of Community Theatre's play competition. The crew and cast of this production were recognized for their achievements with an invitation to the American Armed Forces in Europe Theater Festival, and at 85 Betty Ann travelled to Heidelberg, Germany to share this honor with her friends.

During the last decade of her life, in addition to her activities in the theater, Betty Ann contributed her talents and resources to supporting such organizations and causes as Ruth's Room, Habitat for Humanity, Our Daily Bread, Heifer International, the Denton Libraries, the Greater Denton Arts Council, the Arts Guild of Denton, and the Denton County African American Museum, among many others. She was also on the Board of Directors of Denton Regional Medical Center.

In her 92nd year, Betty Ann was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Denton Community Theatre.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Shanelec; her brother, Charles Fladger and his wife JoAnne; her children Mark Williams, Wendy Barrow, and Candy Barrow; and grandson, Trey Brady. She is survived by her daughter, Darby Brady and her husband Earnest; son, David Barrow and his wife Sheree; son, Mike Barrow and his wife Carol; grandchildren, Kate Blackburn, Robin Dyer, Kelsey Gillette, Allison Welch, Cory Barrow, Kent Barrow, Che' Corbin (Clint), Amy Kimsey (Bob), and Brian Barrow; great-grandchildren, Sofia Blackburn, Michael Blackburn, Jayce Gillette, Brady Welch, Judson Welch, Lacey Welch, Caroline Kimsey, and Cambry Corbin; her brother-in-law, Gail "Pep" Shanelec; numerous nieces and nephews; and countless friends of all ages who came to know her as BeeBoo.

A memorial celebration of Betty Ann's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2015 at First United Methodist Church, 201 South Locust, Denton, Texas. A reception at the church will immediately follow the memorial.

Suggested memorials are Denton Community Theatre, Ruth's Room, Our Daily Bread, and Ann's Haven Hospice.

The family would like to thank the wonderful people of Ann's Haven Hospice and Kind Companions for their compassionate care.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home.