Betty Jo Templeton

Betty Jo Durrett Templeton, age 89, died Saturday, November 20, 2021 with family by her side at her home in Shreveport, Louisiana. A service celebrating her life will be held Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 6012 Youree Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating will be Reverend Andrew Goff. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue. Visitation will precede the service and be held in the Parlor of the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Betty was born September 19, 1932 on the family homestead in Bienville Parish, Louisiana to Joe and Ora Durrett. After graduating from Simsboro High School and Louisiana Tech University, she began teaching in Shreveport, Louisiana at Queensborough Elementary in 1953 and retired in 1990 from University Elementary. She met Austin Templeton shortly after moving to Shreveport and they married on September 16, 1955 and were married 62 years at his death. Betty was a faithful member of St. Luke's United Methodist since its first congregation met on the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana. Through the years, she enjoyed serving in various ministries and was a member of the United Methodist Women and was active in Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for women educators. Betty had a "green thumb" and maintained a unique and beautiful flower garden. Her talent for flower arranging brought delight to her family, neighbors, and friends. After retirement, Betty and Austin traveled extensively and enjoyed being involved in the lives of their grandchildren. Those who preceded her in death include her parents; her loving husband, Austin Templeton; sisters, Eura Guess and Nanette Randall; and brothers, John Paul Durrett and Tom Durrett. Survivors include her daughter, Terri Woolridge and husband, David Woolridge of Baton Rouge, LA; son, Phillip Templeton and wife, Mary Alice Templeton of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren, Melissa Woolridge of New Orleans, LA, Davey Woolridge of Baton Rouge, LA, Taylor Templeton of Shreveport, LA, Wesley Woolridge of Baton Rouge, LA and Justin Carr and wife, Heidi of Shreveport, LA; great-grandchildren, Charlotte Carr and Palmer Carr both of Shreveport, LA; sister, Dora Lee Hall of Ruston, LA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Honoring Betty as pallbearers will be David Woolridge, Justin Carr, Davey Woolridge, Taylor Templeton and Wesley Woolridge. In lieu of flowers, the family of Betty Templeton invites you to consider a donation to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 6012 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71105.