Betty Vaughn Pettey Bradford

Betty Vaughn Pettey Bradford 1928 – 2017 Betty was born in Lubbock, July 8, 1928, to Ruth, an active Junior League, Lubbock Women’s Club and Garden Club member. Her father, Dr. Weston A. Pettey, was an optometrist who was active in the Lubbock Lion’s Club. She always wanted to be born on July 4--she missed it by 4 days but in 1976 she became known as “Betty Bi-centennial.” She kept that name until a cold day in November of 1995 when her granddaughter, Gentiliska Parker, joined her little family. From that day forward she was known as “Muzzy.” Muzzy graduated from Lubbock High in 1946. She would often sing the first line of the Westerner’s school song. In 1950, she graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Home Economics. She married the love of her life, Dr. John R. Bradford in September of 1954. When “Brad” became Dean of Engineering at Texas Technological College in 1956, she found her second love in Texas Tech. She was active in the Faculty Women’s Club. Muzzy loved her community too. She and Brad were charter members of Second Baptist Church. She volunteered in the Gift Shop, Health Point, and Seniors are Special of University Medical Center from opening day until 2016. She served on the Foundation Board as well as served as president of the Auxiliary. Like her mother, she was active in the Lubbock Women’s Club. She took great pride in her daughters Penny and Heather and granddaughter, Gentiliska, named after Brad’s mother. Betty loved to play bridge and 42. Her handwork was a favorite hobby, including the lost art of tatting, which she often demonstrated at the Ranching Heritage Center. She loved her neighbor Karen’s grandchildren Riley, Tater, and Cotton Ball. She served as president as well as parliamentarian of her philanthropic organization Chapter CF of the PEO Sisterhood. She loved Texas Tech Football and was always on the front row with Carolyn Taylor for the coach’s radio show. She treasured the autographed picture given to her by Kliff Kingsbury. She could be found each day “holding court” at Market Street. She loved life and socializing with friends right up to her last minute. We will all miss her. She is survived by her daughter, Heather Dru Bradford; and granddaughter, Gentiliska Parker. She was predeceased by “her Brad” in January, 2007 and her daughter, Penny in July, 2016. Services will be Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Sanders Funeral Home. Graveside service immediately following at Resthaven Cemetery, Lubbock, Texas. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to PEO Sisterhood, Chapter CF c/o Debbie Warmoth, 909 Cantebury, Wolfforth, TX 79382 or the John R. Bradford Chair at Texas Tech University Whitacre College of Engineering.

Betty Vaughn Pettey Bradford

July 8, 1928 - May 29, 2017