Betty J. Stapp

Betty Jean Vinson Stapp, at 92 years of age passed away on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Lexington House in Alexandria, La. Betty was born on October 12, 1933, in Forest, Louisiana to the late Sabra and Waid Vinson.  She was the youngest of their three children.    

She graduated from Newellton High School in 1951, and then pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Music graduating with honors from Louisiana Tech University in the spring of 1955.    

Betty married J.R. (Shorty) Olds on November 20, 1955, and welcomed three daughters, Betty Ann, Jeana Kay, and Terri Rene.

She began a 32-year career in teaching music, mathematics, and special education.  Betty adored children and after receiving her Masters in Special Education, she continued her career as an assessment teacher identifying both gifted and learning disabilities in the children she evaluated.   She truly loved to reminisce about her choral group from Waterproof High performing on television.

Betty has five grandchildren.  Jared Tucker, Bobby Rayford, Elizabeth Rayford Bossier, Wade Tucker and Christopher Merriett.    They have blessed her with ten great grandchildren. Pierson, Reid, Lucy, Mo, Liam, Kenneth, Ford, Isaiah, Sophie, and Jackson.  

Betty is survived by two daughters, Ann Rayford (husband Rob), Jeana Tucker (husband Rudy), son-in-law Todd Merriett, and niece Cynthia Sloane.   She was predeceased by her daughter Terri, her parents, sister Maxine Outlaw, and her brother Waid Vinson, Jr

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