Betty Jean Craft Clements

Betty Jean Craft Clements passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on January 10, 1933, to John and Johnnie Birdwell Craft, she was a lifelong resident of Flint, Texas. She married DJ Clements, Jr. on June 24, 1950, and they shared 62 years of marriage until his death in 2012.

A graduate of Tyler High School in 1949, Betty Jean attended Tyler Junior College the following year, where she performed as an Apache Belle. In 1957 she became Postmaster of the Flint Post Office, having first served as an assistant under her mother. She held that position for 30 years, retiring in 1988 after working in three different post office buildings. Deeply involved in her community and faith, she was the longest-living member of Flint Baptist Church and participated in the Flint Community Church as well as the Bullard Chapter 972 of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Past Matron. She was also a life member of the Tyler ISD PTA and belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

In retirement, Betty Jean enjoyed traveling across the Southwest with DJ for his work and to attend bluegrass festivals and Southern gospel concerts. When Craft Corner opened in 2000, she returned to help with paperwork, delighting in conversations with customers and keeping the staff lively. She cherished playing 42, 88, and Mahjongg with family and friends, and took great pride in cheering at the sporting events of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Known to many as Granny or Mrs. Betty, she was the heart of Flint, possessing an extraordinary memory and a deep reservoir of local history that she loved to share. Above all, she was the beloved matriarch and steady rock of the Clements family.

She was preceded in death by her husband DJ Clements, daughter Johnnie Mae Clements, son Jimmy Clements, and her parents John and Johnnie Craft. She is survived by her son Ricky Clements and wife Marla, daughter Carla Clements Bacica and husband Mike, grandchildren Jayson Clements, Jimmy Clements Jr. (Aimee), Cynthia Clements, Aaron Clements (Danielle), Carter Clements, and Whitney Sherman (Chad), and great-grandchildren Dallas Clements, Ansley Clements, Brian Clements, Jaycee Clements, Cami Clements, Jack Sherman, Wesley Sherman, and Sutton Clements. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and their children.