Betty Napanee "Nap" (Nelson) Ebert

Betty Napanee (Nap) Ebert passed away on May 16, 2021 in Sherman, Texas.  She was born on January 3, 1938 to Henry and Belle (Clark) Nelson of the Panki Bok community. 

On January 4, 1954, the day after Nap turned sixteen, she and Joseph Marion Ebert were married.  They were married for 47 years before Joseph passed away in September 2001.  At age 17, Nap boarded a ship bound for Germany and traveled across the ocean alone to be reunited with Joseph. He was stationed in Fulda, Germany and left just one week after he and Nap were married. Nap lived with her Aunt Edna in the Bronx while she waited to depart. 

Nap was an amazing homemaker.  Her home was always spotless, despite having five children running in and out, and her home was always a place where family and friends were welcome.  Nap was known for her homecooked meals, and she made the best fried chicken, biscuits, lemon meringue pie, and sweet tea that you’ve ever tasted.  She would cook for days preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, and she would single-handedly prepare enough food to feed an army.  For her children’s birthdays, she would always prepare their favorite meals, even after they were grown.  

Nap was a devoted mother and being “Grandma” was her life’s joy.  She doted on her children and would laugh quietly when they argued over who was her favorite. Only when her youngest child started school did Nap begin working outside of the home, when she began working for Haworth Public Schools in 1979.  She retired in 2012.  She was honored to have worked with people that she considered dear friends.  She loved Haworth Lions basketball and regularly attended games until her health prevented her.  

In 1978, Nap earned her GED and encouraged her children to further their educations.  It made her so proud that all of her children were college graduates.  

Nap was a faithful member of the Haworth Church of Christ and a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.  

Nap was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joseph, sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Carl Fischer, brothers, Billy Nelson and William Nelson, her son Mark Nelson Ebert and infant son Clark Burnett Ebert, and her beloved grandchildren, Heather Elaine Boyd and Dylan Kyle Butler.  

She is survived by her children who love her beyond measure; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph, Jr. and Karen Ebert, Union Grove community, daughters and sons-in law, Julia Boyd, Durant, OK, Michele and Darren Frazier, Hugo, OK, and Melissa and Steve McGee, Idabel, OK, and daughter-in-law, La Donna Ebert, Union Grove Community; grandchildren LaKeesha McKee, Tyler Tadlock, Brooke McGee, Blake McGee, Brittany Stone, Deakin Jones, Joseph N. Ebert, Tmothy Ebert, Ashley Butler, Ely Shelton, Christopher Ebert, Josie Frazier, Wyatt McGee, and Connor Frazier; great grandchildren, Mya Stone, Jade Butler, JJ Ebert, Jaxon Tadlock, Bridger McKee, Lucy Stone, Jenson Tadlock, Laycn Jones, Ace Stone, Killian McKee, Nolan McGee, Lily Ebert, Nicholas Shelton, and Preston Ebert; sister and brother-in-law, Donzell and JW Jenkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.  

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the Bypass Church of Christ in Idabel, OK with Aubrey Thompson and Victor Balagbagan officiating. Interment to follow at the Haworth Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the funeral home.

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