Elizabeth "NanaBeth" Horton, aged 79, passed from this life and entered into heaven on November 12, 2024, in Azle, Texas.

Elizabeth was born August 23, 1945 in Carthage, Texas. She was a 1963 graduate of Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. She married George Horton on October 26, 1967, at her mother's home in Shreveport, LA. She worked as a bookkeeper for many years at Innovative Data Systems in Bossier City, LA, displaying her detailed mathematical skills. Beth later worked as a receptionist for Brown Builders in Shreveport, LA.

Upon moving to Azle in 1986, she began a fulfilling career for Azle ISD in numerous roles. Her favorite position was that of Library Aide at Azle Elementary, "The Rock School." Her love of reading and children resounded in her employment with the district. She just loved school. Even after moving back to Louisiana for some time and returning to Azle many years later, she volunteered her time selflessly at Liberty Elementary helping her daughter and coworkers, set up classrooms, working book fairs, helping the kindergarten teachers make copies, and sewing hundreds of her cute "kissy faces" for every holiday for the third graders of Liberty Elementary. Her heart was so generous, that she would take handfuls of change to help the kids pay the tax they needed for books at the book fairs. She was known as NanaBeth to anyone and everyone she met.

Her most beloved job of all time was watching and caring for her infant grandson when her daughter, Tracy, returned to teaching after her maternity leave. Nana adored Caleb, and as he grew, she attended every event in which he participated, from T-ball to school plays to band concerts to Marching Green Pride Band competitions.

NanaBeth designated "girl days" for Grandma Horton, Granny Ruth, Debbie, Natalie, and Tracy that included shopping, nails, Mexican food, giggles, and adventure.

Beth loved music, mainly listening to and watching her husband, George play his guitar. Some of her favorite songs were sung at family gatherings known as "Picking and Grinning." She sang and clapped along, enjoying the time of fellowship. Unchained Melody was her favorite, along with I'll Fly Away.

Her younger brothers, Mark and Michael, and sister, Diane, lovingly named her Lispa, because they couldn't pronounce Elizabeth. They were significantly younger than her so she spent her teenage years helping her mother care for and raise them. Lispa called them "her babies."

Billy, her older brother, provided Elizabeth with care and compassion after losing their daddy at a very early age. He was essentially her role model, mentor, and best friend into adulthood. Beth and Tracy drove to Cincinnati, OH, two summers in a row to visit her brother, Billy.

NanaBeth loved all animals great and small, from the silly little hamsters and guinea pigs to cats and dogs! She loved her poodle dogs Honey and Pepe'. She became very attached to her cats, Cookie, Daisy, Taffy, and Joy. She spoiled them all.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Badgley; her mother, Ruth Simpson Bowen; a brother, Bill Badgley, Jr.; and sister, Diane Bowen.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, George L. Horton; her daughter, Tracy Moody and husband, Chris; her grandson, Caleb A. Smith; her grandson, Colton Moody and wife Kayla; her granddaughter Ashley Hedges and husband Ben; her brothers, Mark Bowen, Michael Bowen and wife, Darlene; her great-grandson, Beau Moody, and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate, reminisce, and honor the life of NanaBeth from 5-7 pm at El Gran Toritos on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

El Gran Toritos

11665 FM-730 N

Azle, TX 76020

There will be a private graveside service at a later date.