Betty Dagley Kerlee

Betty Dagley Kerlee, a long-time resident of Meridian, passed away June 12, 2021, at the age of 92. Betty was born in Clauene on February 12, 1929, and moved to Bosque County when she was six years old.

She was a 1947 graduate of Meridian High School and attended the first Licensed Vocational Nursing school and received her nursing license in 1949. She began her nursing career at Holt and Archer Clinic in 1949 and 1950 before moving to San Angelo.

Betty married Joe Bob Dagley on June 27, 1953, and lived in Brownwood, Brady, and Coleman before moving back to Bosque County (Walnut Springs) in 1968. Her nursing career brought her to the Meridian Clinic and Hospital where she worked for Dr. Harold Hildebrand and Dr. J. Emmitt and at the hospital until it closed in 1985. She was the charge nurse at Meridian Manor until she retired in 2003 at the age of 75.

Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Walnut Springs. She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Susie Johnston; brothers Dick, Louie and Harold B; sister Lou Jean; first husband, Joe Bob in 1973; son, James Ed (Jim) in1972; and second husband D.W. (Dub) in 2009.

Betty is survived by one son, Robert and wife Trish of Cleburne; one daughter, Susie and fiancé John McPeek and his sons, Dylan and Colton; grandsons Jim Bob Dagley and wife Ashley, Blake Dagley and wife Jessica, Bradley Hanks and Benjamin Hanks; great grandchildren Kerrington, Elle, Lane, and Elin Drew, along with a host of nieces and nephews.