Bettye Katherine Stuart Hardegree, 99, of Sonora, Texas went to meet her Lord and Savior on February 20, 2025. Bettye was born in Edom, Texas to Ralph B. Stuart and Monty McKinnon Stuart on May 23, 1925. She spent her youth in Brownsboro, then went on to attend East Texas State College where she met the love of her life, Max Gentry Hardegree.
Upon earning her degree, Bettye boarded a train to Washington, DC and worked as a secretary in the Pentagon for a summer. The following fall, she secured a teaching job in Maryland, where she taught for one year. Feeling homesick, she returned to Texas to teach in Hawkins, Texas. She then married her college sweetheart, Max, in 1946, in Rockwall, Texas. After attending a job fair at East Texas State, she was hired by Sonora Independent School District. Bettye and Max made the move to Sonora, and it was there that they raised two daughters, Mickey and Kathy. Bettye’s passion and joy for teaching continued for 30 years with Sonora ISD. She is remembered fondly by many former students to this day. Recently, a former student was quoted as saying,”she was my biggest fan and always encouraged me to reach for the stars.” During their time in Sonora, they were involved in various activities in the community, as well as being members of First United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Max, and her son-in-law, Kenneth Newman.
Bettye is survived by two daughters, Mickey (Scott) McGregor of Christoval, and Kathy Newman of San Angelo. BK, as she was affectionately known, is survived by four granddaughters, Angie (Steve) Plemons of Midland, Catherine (Will) Pickett of Fort Worth, Gentry (Tanner) Fields of San Angelo, and Emily Newman of Kerrville, and seven great grandchildren.
A special thank you to the staff at Brayden Park Memory Care, Visiting Angels, and Gentiva Hospice for their loving devotion to “Miss Bettye.”
A family graveside service will be held at a later date.
