Betty Denning

Betty Jo Parrish Denning, 93, slipped quietly into the presence of her Lord on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in her home in Odessa.  She had been in declining health for several years.

The daughter of M. G. and Sallie Parrish, Betty was born in the Allen’s Chapel community in Fannin County, Texas, on February 15, 1930.  She graduated from Honey Grove High School as Salutatorian in 1947.  Betty graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1951 and immediately went to work at Humble Oil and Refining Company’s Snyder district production office.

She married Ed Denning on August 23, 1952, and raised their 3 children in Snyder until the family relocated to Odessa in 1963.  Betty was a substitute teacher for many years for ECISD in the 1960s.
The family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, in 1970. Betty and Ed returned to Odessa in 1979. 

She was a dedicated homemaker who enjoyed cooking and caring for their 3 children.  She was always proud of her children.  She was a member of Crescent Park Baptist Church.

Betty’s husband of 52 years, Ed, died in 2004.  She is preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers and sister.

She is survived by her children, Phillip Denning and wife Laurie of Katy, Texas, Jeffrey Denning and wife Christa of Katy, Texas, and Sharon Denning of Odessa; and her grandchildren, Peter Chang-Leon, Spencer Denning, Emma Denning, and Megan Denning.  Additionally, she is survived by a great-granddaughter, Dionicia Chang-Leon, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Betty will be remembered as a caring wife, mother, and devoted grandmother who cherished her home and family.

Graveside services will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 2, 2023.