Elizabeth (Betty) Lee Wallace Labay passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the age of 97 with family at her side. She was born on December 1, 1928 to Lee Wallace and Rosalie Svoboda Wallace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; she currently resided in Wharton, Texas at Sodalis Assisted Living Center.

Betty married Allen Edward Labay, on March 5, 1946; they were married 70 years until his death in 2016. Allen said when he saw her at a dance in her pleated skirt he knew she was the one. Their marriage was blessed with 7 children, 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Rosalie Wallace; husband, Allen Labay; son, David Labay; son, Michael Labay; grandson, Chris Jones and grandson, Michael Jones. She is survived by her children; Sheryl Harris (Joe), Larry Labay (Jyl), Peggy Personett, Stephen Labay (Carla) and Tricia Bagwell (Frank); grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Betty was very active in the Catholic churches in Angleton and Somerville. She was a devoted wife and mother and always there for her family. Betty and Allen raised their children in Bay City, Texas; Danbury, Texas and Angleton, Texas. She worked at Brockmans in Angleton after her children were in school. After Allen’s retirement, they moved to Somerville, TX. She enjoyed cooking, loved working in her flower beds and fishing with Allen and her children. The family get-togethers at their home in Somerville were filled with love, laughter and lots of memories.

Visitation will be at the Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville, Texas on Monday, August 3 rd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 4 th at 11:00am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Somerville, Texas.

Pallbearers are Jay Labay, Jarrod Jones, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Joshua Vento-Jones, Coby Fuchs and Clayton Fuchs. Honorary Pallbearers are her great-grandsons and great-great grandsons.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Somerville, Texas or a charity of your

choice.

The family would like to thank the Houston Hospice of El Campo and Sodalis employees for their care and support. A Special Thank You to Birdy for her compassion and love for our Mom.