Bessie Rae Belcher was born Oct. 27, 1932, to Martin and Bessie Belcher in Dickinson, Texas. She was the oldest of three, with younger brothers Ed \u201cSunny\u201d and Fred \u201cFreddy\u201d growing up together near the Dickinson Bayou. She graduated as Valedictorian of the Dickinson High School Class of 1950 and continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin. At UT she majored in Sociology and earned her bachelor\u2019s degree in 1954, returning home to teach second grade in Dickinson. The following year she married Keith Sloan and they moved to Burlington, North Carolina to begin their life together. Shortly after having their first son, Marty, in 1956, they returned to Texas, establishing their home in Fort Worth, where they had a second son, David, in 1960. As the boys reached school age, Rae resumed school at TCU, taking education classes, and resumed teaching second grade in 1966, beginning a 25-year stint with the Fort Worth ISD, where she retired in 1991. She was devoted to her students and taught at three different schools, always teaching second grade, where she enjoyed helping to instill a love of learning, as well as foundations in math, reading and other subjects. Rae was always close to her family, with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, especially the Deats family, concentrated in the Dickinson and Houston vicinity. With Keith, Marty, and David she enjoyed camping and long car trips exploring the country, especially national parks and scenic mountain areas. Later as \u201cempty-nesters\u201d she and Keith traveled together to the Canadian Rockies, Costa Rica, and several European destinations. Rae was a lifelong United Methodist, and active member of Westcliff UMC and Arborlawn UMC in Fort Worth. She taught children\u2019s Sunday School, assisted with youth ministries and was an active participant in the United Methodist Women. Following retirement, she joined in weekly mission efforts at the Northside Inter-Church Alliance and the United Community Centers. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Keith; son, Marty; and brother, Fred. She is survived by her son, David; brother, Ed; daughters-in-law, Terri and Michelle; grandchildren, Brian, Stephen, Jeffrey, Patrick, Christopher and Elizabeth; as well as seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 at Wellspring United Methodist Church, 6200 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78633. GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes \u2013 Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth 76107 817-336-0584<\/p>\n
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