Betty June (Johnston) 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, Tx on February 12, 1929 and moved to Bosque County when she was 6 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 the Meridian Manor until she retired in 2003 at the age of 75. On January 24, 2004, Betty married D.W. Kerlee and lived in Meridian and was a member of the Baptist Church at the time of her death. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Walnut Springs, Texas. 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, a 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. Betty requested a private graveside service for family. There will be a celebration of life visitation held at Lawson’s Funeral Home in Meridian on Wednesday, June 16, from 6-8 PM. The graveside service for family will be Thursday, June 17th at 10 AM. Everyone who loved her is invited to come and celebrate her beautiful life. Come join us at the visitation.