Betty Kay Sherrell Locke Gregg Obituary (1949 - 2023)

Betty Kay Sherrell Locke Gregg was born October 8, 1949 in Beaumont, Texas at St. Therese Hospital to Clinton S. Sherrell Sr. & Ouida Bess (Betty) Harrelson Sherrell. She had one older brother, Clinton S. Sherrell Jr. & one younger sister Mary Edna Sherrell Riedinger. She went to school all her life in Silsbee, then in Evadale,Texas. When she was 17, she met future husband William Locke. They married when she was 18 & he was 19. He was in the US Army. They got Stationed in Germany & lived there for 2 years. In that time they got pregnant with their first child, a boy William Clinton. He was born August 9, 1969. He also died the same day. He was 17 hours old. This crushed the young couple. But they got pregnant again, very soon, this time a girl, Theresa Mechelle was born very premature, on May 21, 1970, in Ft. Polk, Louisiana. Kay had some serious complications. Bill & Betty (her mother) were told Kay & Theresa probably would not live. But Praise God, Kay & the tiny baby girl did live. That baby girl came home at 5 months old & at 5 pounds 3 ounces. 2 years & 10 months later, another baby girl was born, Tonya Rene 5 lbs 4 oz., in Beaumont, Texas. She was feisty from birth. Theresa thought she had a real, live baby doll. (Not so much!!!) Six weeks later, Kay's mother passed away. This was extremely difficult for the entire family, as she was VERY beloved by everyone. Mrs. Sherrell was a very special, strong lady. Kay & Bill divorced not too long after, but stayed best friends & wonderful co-parents to their two daughters for the rest of his life. In 1978 Kay married Stephen L. Gregg. Steve had 6 daughter's from his 1st marriage; Mary, Susy, Cathy, Delta, Anne, & Stephanie. This was a shock to 2 girls & one single mom. But they all adjusted over the 38 years Kay & Steve were married. There are many, many hilarious family stories of all being together at our house in Clear Lake, or the beach cabin on Crystal Beach. Kay loved that beach cabin, an anniversary gift from Steve/Dad one year. Mama & Dad (we called our natural father "Daddy" & our "stepdad", Steve "Dad".) No, he didn't make us, but you'd have never known it. He never treated us, or our children any differently than his biological children or grandchildren. He was one great man & he loved our Mama until the minute he died, & she loved him until the minute she died. She called him her "Sweetheart" even up until the week before she died. She missed him everyday of the 7 years she spent without him. She missed her parents, our father, her brother, her best friends; Shirley Gant & Delajane Rowland, her niece/ our cousin Chris Hall, our brother, & my tiny first granddaughter Rachel Michelle everyday. But our Mama was the strongest woman ever. She endured so much throughout her life; death of loved ones, divorce, single motherhood, working as a single parent, burying both parents & a son by the age of 23, being a step parent to 6, being a mom to 2 bereft daughter's. Not to mention the excruciating health problems she endured throughout her life. Our Mom was tough as nails, but had the faith of Job. She never ever doubted God. She was never far from her Bible either. That's how she met Dad/Steve, in church. She is survived by 2 daughters; Theresa Locke Dove (Jerry) of Gainesville, Georgia. Tonya Locke Sheffield (Matthew) of League City, Texas, Sister; Mary Sherrell Reidinger (Kenneth W. Sr.) Of Silsbee, Texas. Bonus Daughters: Delta Gregg of Athens, Greece, Rubey S. Stinebrickner of Arkansas, Mary & Stephanie Gregg of Porter, Texas, Anne Willams of Dayton, Texas. Niece: Mary K. Adams (Paul) of Austin, Texas. Grandchildren: Lindsay Kotara (Kody), William Sheffield, Katie Sheffield, Lauren Dove, Marlo Dove, Jerry W. Dove (Summer), Machelle Funderburk, Charlotte Key (Robert), Cayce Lipford (Scott), Matthew Stinebrickner, Jessica Stinebrickner, Marie-Claire Pappas, Konstantine Pappas. More great grandchildren & great great grandchildren than you can count, but she loved everyone. She is preceded in death by her husband of 38 years Stephen L. Gregg. Her bonus daughter Catharine Gregg McKinnis, Her Brother Clinton S. Sherrell Jr. Her niece Christina Darlene Sherrell Hall, Her Parents Clinton S. Sherrell Sr. & Ouida Bess (Betty) Sherrell, Her best friend, ex-husband & our father William Locke, her son William Clinton Locke, her great granddaughter Rachel Michelle Locke, her best friends Shirley Rose Gant, Delajane Yates Rowland, & Arminda Jayne (Janie) Rowland. In lieu of flowers please donate to Hope Church, 770 Pineloch Dr Houston, Texas 77062 (281) 488-0909 or Village Home Health Hospice, 631 Egret Bay Blvd Suite A, League City, Texas 77573 (281)554-6742.