Betty Jane Piper's Obituary
Betty Jane (Corbin) Piper, 89, of Donna, Texas peacefully passed away on September 19, 2025, at Aurora House Hospice Center in Weslaco, Texas.
Betty was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 29, 1935, to Doris and Russell Corbin, their only child. After moving to different cities throughout Ohio her family settled in a small-town east of Columbus where she attended Kirkersville High School. She became Head Majorette and was also in band and choral groups.
She met her husband, Bernard, when in high school. They eloped on December 4,1953, during the Korean War where Bernie was serving in the Air Force and they moved to California. In the next few years, they had four children: LuAnn, Debra, Phyllis and Russell.
Betty had artistic talent from a young age and believed we should all use our gifts as creators for the beauty and joy of art. Betty and Bernie opened an arts and crafts store in Gahanna, Ohio. After they sold the store, Betty became very proficient in digital painting, and she painted beautifully for many years.
Betty loved nature and enjoyed especially teaching her grandchildren about flowers, birds and plant life. She taught her children and grandchildren compassion and love for animals, especially dogs, even though she had quite the fear of birds herself from a very young age!
In the 1990s, Betty and Bernie bought an RV and started a new adventure traveling around the country volunteering in parks. These were some of the happiest years of their lives together. They ended up settling at Victoria Palms RV Resort in Donna, Texas. Sadly, Bernie passed away in 1999, but Betty loved the valley and decided to stay. A few years later Betty met her long-time companion, Jerry Gieseke. They enjoyed traveling all over the world together. This chapter of her life brought Betty many fun adventures.
Betty loved water and enjoyed any opportunity to sit on a shore, a ship, a boat, or a
beach and watch the waves. It was soothing and sacred to her.
Betty’s grandchildren were the light of her life. She was so proud of them and what
wonderful young adults they had all become. All of them possess artistic creativity,
definitely encouraged and passed on from her.
Betty was preceded in death by parents, Nettie Doris (Mills) Corbin and Russell Joseph Corbin, husband Bernard Edwin Piper, son Russell Edwin Piper, grandson Jared Philip Stewart, and her companion, Gerald Gieseke.
She is survived by her daughters, LuAnn Foor of Indianapolis, Indiana, Debra Piper of
Donna, Texas, and Phyllis Stewart (Michael) of Westerville, Ohio and her beloved
grandchildren, Tara Foor, Brittany Pacheco, Megan Stewart, Tansy Foor and Ryne
Pacheco.
She had many friends at Victoria Palms and Love of Christ Lutheran Church in
Weslaco, Texas. Her friendships meant so much to her here in the Rio Grande Valley.
Betty requested not to have a service. Betty was loved by many, and her kindness will be missed. She would want to be remembered by the happy moments shared with her friends and family who loved her and cared so much for her. She lived by these words, “Love one another, give help when needed…and go forth and enjoy life.”
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?