Betty Palermo

Betty Ruth Palermo, of Groves, Texas, passed away peacefully at her home on March 30, 2025. Born on January 9, 1956 in Gaylord, Michigan, Betty lived a life filled with family and friends.

Betty’s love for her children and grandchildren and all they did in both school and extracurriculars was well known. Baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, and dance studios were constant sources of joy. She was also incredibly involved in her kid’s school PTA programs and loved to plan a gathering. She worked for many years at both JCPenney and as a church secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Arthur. When not at work, Betty enjoyed traveling with her family everywhere from the shores of Key West, to Disneyland and San Francisco in California, to tent camping in Canada. And, of course, she always made time for a good Burt Reynolds movie, often quoting lines with a mischievous grin. Her admiration for Burt wasn't just a casual fondness; it was a source of endless entertainment and a quirky, beloved part of her personality. Her love and concern for others and what was right was constant, at times coming out in “Bettyisms” like “couches are for sitting not for laying.”

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Vern and Mildred Ralston, her mother-in-law Wilma Palermo, her sister, Eileen Robinson, her brother-in-law and wife Eddie and Mary Palermo, and her granddaughter, Gabby.

She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Charles Palermo; her children, Teresa (Terri) Palermo and her husband Chuck Young, Charles Palermo Jr., Megan Woodard and her husband Paul, Rachel Palermo, and Michael Palermo; her sister, Dolores Miller and her husband Gale, her brother-in-law Mike Palermo and his wife Debbie; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was a devoted grandmother to Cassandra Ramos, Steven Ramos, Kaelan Ramos, Jaden Harrison, Caleb Woodard, Luke Woodard, Chandler Palermo, and Charleigh Palermo. Her joy was further multiplied by her great-grandchildren, Sage Ramos, Emerson Ramos, and Alexander Harrison as well as her beloved great dane Silas.

Services will be held at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves, TX. Visitation will be Wednesday April 2, 2025 from 5 to 8pm and a Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday April 3, 2025 at 2pm. Interment to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers we welcome family and friends to honor Betty through donations to the Christus Foundation. 

www.christussoutheasttexasfoundation.org

The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers as they mourn.