Betty Jo Watt Pratt passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in Port Arthur, Texas. Betty was born on March 9, 1938, in Beaumont, Texas, to John David and Theta May Burkhart Watt.
Betty graduated from Beaumont High in 1956. After attending Lamar and Stephen F. Austin, she graduated from Chenier Business College and began work as a receptionist. She married Roy Pratt on September 3, 1960 - a marriage that lasted over 65 years.
Betty was a member of The Temple Church, where she had many friends and acquaintances. She was active in the choir, Sunday school, prayer ministry, and Vacation Bible School. She was involved in the early operations of the United Board of Missions (originally the Center for Christian Service), teaching children their ABCs. She also taught preschool children of Community Bible Study members for approximately 10 years. She was an active member of the PTA and was a Camp Fire leader and board member. Betty volunteered at the Museum of the Gulf Coast and was a 25 year volunteer for RSVP, serving the Shots Across Texas program, visiting new mothers, stressing the importance of immunizations for babies. She was also a life member (65+) of Beta Sigma Phi, a social and service sorority.
Betty also loved to travel. She visited 49 states and 16 countries.
Betty is survived by her husband, Roy Pratt, daughters, Beth Tatum and Kathy Hearn, grandchildren, Lindsey Koon (Jamie), Matt Tatum (Sarah), Trey Dugger (Demi), Hayley Mezzano (Nathan), and great-grandchildren, Frankie Koon, Dottie Koon, Toby Koon, and Blair Dugger. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, John D. and Theta Watt, her brother, John Edgar Watt, and her sister, Theta Ann Watt Jackson.
The family will honor Betty with a visitation on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 2001 Nall Street, Port Neches, Texas. Interment will be at Memory Gardens in Nederland. Following the service, a family lunch will be served at The Temple.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to The Temple, https://templeonline.org.