Bettye Powell Lyles Groves, an independent and loving woman of great integrity, great strength, and great faith, passed away on Wednesday Apr. 16, 2025, at Holly Hill Nursing Home in Maplewood surrounded by friends and family. After being born on Mar. 8, 1929, she went on to live a full life to the age of 96. She was the proud daughter of Idell Harrison Powell and Alex C. Powell. Shortly after graduation Bette married Prentice C. Lyles on Oct. 4, 1947. In September 1990, Bettye lost her husband, Prentice, and went on to lose her son in 2002. In 1991 love was in the air and Bettye married William F. Groves. For sixteen years they had a marriage of adventure, traveling, living on Toledo Bend, and settling in on the banks of the Sabine River.
Bette’s love for her life on the river was apparent when one visited her. Due to her hard work, her yard was impeccable with blooming flowers and filled with fluttering butterflies, singing songbirds, and chattering squirrels. While sitting on her back porch, she found great peace as she watched the winding river through the seasons and its various stages from low to high. In fact, after the flood that decimated her home, she became more determined to live out her life as independently as possible and often counted her blessings that much more as she returned home.
Bet’s love for friends, family, and even strangers was made apparent as she welcomed them to her home and shared her front row seat on the river. Seaport coffee, and only Seaport coffee, was prepared. While drinking her dark brew, she would entertain guests with her quick wit and comments.
An extremely intelligent and meticulous woman, everything in the Bet’s life seemed to be planned, organized, and well maintained. Lists of birthdays were made, and cards were mailed. Everything in her house and outside was in order. If she found anything out of line, feisty and hardworking, she was quick to make sure that it was put back in order.
Also, a woman of great integrity, Bet had enduring love for the Lord. She worshipped when she was able. An avid reader she read the Bible more than anything else and received many Christian pamphlets which she also read. Prayers and meditation were a daily part of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Idell Harrison Powell and Alex C. Powell; husband, Prentice C. Lyles; son, Prentice C. Lyles, Jr.; daughter, Vicki Arleen Lyles; second husband, W. F. Groves; and her sisters, Margaret Van Winkle and Jo Ann Hebert. She is survived by her granddaughter, Bethany Lyles Goldblum; great-grandsons, Kash Goldblum and Sage Lucas Goldblum; and her sister, Arlene LaCroix; and numerous family members and by those she treated as family.
A graveside service for Bettye was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Apr. 21, in Rigmaiden Cemetery in DeQuincy under the direction of Hixson-Snider Funeral Home. The Rev. Carlton Jackson officiated.
Dedicated to her many endeavors and her relationships, Bettye would not leave this world without sharing her thoughts. Her last message is a testimony for her loved ones…
“I have had lots of good times, hard times, and bad times throughout my life—But God has always been there with me and for me and I have enjoyed my life. God bless all of you—I love you”–Bet
(In lieu of flowers, please give to a charity of your choice if you wish.)
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com
(Paid Memorial)
