Betty Joy (Copeland) Wagner, 92, of Beeville and George West, passed from this life in Beeville with her sons at her side on January 16, 2026. Betty was born on January 21, 1933, in Mineral, Texas to J.R. (Jesse) Copeland and Willie Evans.

Betty had a fun, happy and loving childhood, growing up on a peanut farm and was the 10th out of 11 children. She was raised Church of Christ and graduated from Pawnee High School, where she played on the volleyball team.

After graduation, Betty moved to Beeville and went to work for Southwestern Bell as a telephone operator. In the 1950s, she took part in a Communications Workers of America strike, demanding air-conditioning installation to combat the intense heat in the workplace. The effort resulted in a compromise, with Southwestern Bell positioning fans over tubs of ice. Betty loved being a telephone operator and she was good at it. She was able to recite long series of numbers quickly and accurately from memory after hearing them only once.

On April 20, 1951, Betty married Lee Wagner, a marriage which lasted 27 years and produced two sons, Matthew and Mark. She converted to Lutheranism upon marriage.

Unable to find reliable childcare after the birth of her second son, Betty sacrificed her career to be a stay-at-home mom for a few years. Once both boys were in school, she returned to work as a switchboard operator at NAS Chase Field. Mid-career, Betty enjoyed using her eye for detail as a bookkeeper in Beeville for many years.

While balancing work and home, Betty raised her sons hosting birthday parties and Scouting events. She provided endless transportation to band and choir practice, recitals, summer camps, bible school, art class, swimming, piano lessons, and doctor appointments. Betty was a Cub Scout den mother when her boys were Scouts. She also fed family dogs, cats and cows when everyone else forgot. Betty remained devoted to the Lutheran church and made many life-long friends in the church. She served on the Alter Guild and kitchen committee and sang in the church choir for many years. Through life’s hardships, Betty never once lost her faith in Jesus Christ and encouraged others when they lost theirs.

Betty had her own interests as well. She went to college late in life and graduated with honors from then-Bee County College with associate degrees in both Computer Science and Geology. She participated in the Beeville Community Choir for many years, singing in concerts, going on several trips with the choir and acting as secretary/treasurer. Betty was an advanced genealogist, spending long hours at seminars and libraries. She would happily spend the day researching at the Clayton Library in Houston while visiting her son. Once, she delighted in spending a week doing research at the famous FamilySearch Center in Salt Lake City. She regularly explored courthouses, libraries, country roads and cemeteries in her quest for family history and drafted anyone willing (and sometimes unwilling) to join her on the adventures.

In her late career, Betty worked in administrative roles until retirement. But she found time to take care of an older sister and her brother-in-law, even helping with the cattle at their ranch in George West. She finally retired to her own place in George West where she enjoyed several years walking the property with her dogs, viewing the wildlife. A passionate conservationist and animal lover, she amused herself by responding to requests to hunt on her land with, “You can come shoot pictures!” When poor eyesight caused her driving to become challenging, Betty moved back to Beeville and apartment living. Once she needed assistance with basic care, Betty moved to the Hacienda Oaks facility in Beeville, where she never lost her trademark positive attitude. She was blessed that her mind was sharp to the last moment.

Betty is predeceased by her parents, Jesse and Willie (Evans) Copeland and 10 siblings. She was the last living sibling. She is survived by her two sons, Matt Wagner of Beeville, and Mark Wagner of Houston and many nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Beeville the family will be receiving friends starting at 11 a.m. Commitment of the urn will take place at a later date in Shiner City Cemetery in Shiner.

If anyone would like to leave a memorial in Betty’s name, the family recommends either Faith Lutheran Church in Beeville or the Beeville Humane Society.