Betty Jane Dossey Stephens was born on September 28, 1945, in Groesbeck, Texas. She passed
away peacefully on June 4, 2026, at her home in Dripping Springs, from complications
associated with her years-long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
She is survived by her husband, David Stephens; her daughter, Sarah Stephens Savage and
husband, Chris; and her son, James Edwin (Jed) Stephens and wife, Ellen. She is also survived
by her twin brothers, Garry Dossey and wife Jane, and Larry Dossey and wife Barbie, along with
several nieces and nephews. She had three grandchildren whom she adored: Madison and Ryan
Savage, and Hank Stephens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Leroy Dossey and Ida Faye Belzle Dossey.
Betty graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1964. She attended North Texas State
University, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She transferred to The
University of Texas at Austin after her sophomore year and graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's
degree in speech and English. She taught junior high speech and English in the Garland ISD
from 1969 to 1975. During this time, she earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Southern
Methodist University in 1973. After having two children, she returned to teaching at the Eastfield
campus of Dallas County Community College from 1979 to 1981. Then in the fall of 1981, she
joined the Wylie ISD as Director of Community Education. Later in her career with Wylie ISD,
she added the title and duties of Public Relations Director.
After her retirement in 2000, she served as co-founder and President of the Wylie ISD Education
Foundation from 2002 to 2018. In 2025, she was presented with the Legacy Award by the
Education Foundation at their annual fundraiser gala for her years of commitment to a cause she
was deeply passionate about.
Burial arrangements will be by Groesbeck Funeral Home, and interment will be in the Dossey
family section of Fort Parker Memorial Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in her honor to the Wylie ISD
Education Foundation, www.wisdfoundation.org