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Buried Memories
1985, Gun Barrel City, Police searching for missing Fire Department Captain Jimmy Don Beets dug inside a wishing well in the neatly-tended garden of his wife, 48-year-old Betty Lou Beets. Not only did they find his body, but that of Betty Lou's fourth husband, Doyle Wayne Barker. Each had been shot in the head and buried in a sleeping bag. It wasn't long before investigators unearthed the terrible truth.As Betty Lou's sordid past as a topless dancer, cocktail waitress, and wife to five husbands emerged, so did her chilling trail of marital violence. She shot her second husband, Billy York Lane, in the back. She tried to run over third husband, Ronnie Threlkeld, with a car. Both survived to tell their horrific stories. But Barker and Beets, spouses four and five, weren't so lucky.After a sensational trial, Betty Lou Beets was sentenced to die by lethal injection. Fifteen years later, on February 24, 2000, she again drew national attention by becoming the second woman to be execut
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2001
83 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Irene Pence
8 books26 followersIrene Jean Rorick Pence was born in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska, with a BS in Business Administration and Arizona State University with an MA in Education. She has also taken many creative writing courses from Southern Methodist University.
Irene is married and has three children. She has won the Dallas Morning News' Golden Pen Award and is published in Business Education Journals.
Irene is married and has three children. She has won the Dallas Morning News' Golden Pen Award and is published in Business Education Journals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 18, 2018
What a well written book. I loved this book, although I heard about this case elsewhere the author still kept me interested in wanting to read more. I highly recommend to true crime readers. I look forward to reading more of Irenes books.
March 29, 2009
This woman is the epitomy of nuts. The book is about Betty Lou Beets who apparently got tired of her husbands rather quickly. Instead of going through the drama of a divorce she figured she'd handle things herself- why let things get messy, right?
Yeah- she threw a few down a well and kept going, shot another one...in the back, tried to literally drive over another one. Some lived, some didn't and in the end she got caught. (Thank the Lord above.)
Definitely worthwhile reading if you like true crime- it'll amaze you that there are people like Beets in the world. Not to mention the husbands because if I remember correctly, at least some of them had ample reasons to get the hell out of dodge and they stayed. That's not to say they deserved what they got of course but come on- if someone shows their true colors and the colors show I should be running....I'm running. No benefit of the doubt given in a situation like that.
Yeah- she threw a few down a well and kept going, shot another one...in the back, tried to literally drive over another one. Some lived, some didn't and in the end she got caught. (Thank the Lord above.)
Definitely worthwhile reading if you like true crime- it'll amaze you that there are people like Beets in the world. Not to mention the husbands because if I remember correctly, at least some of them had ample reasons to get the hell out of dodge and they stayed. That's not to say they deserved what they got of course but come on- if someone shows their true colors and the colors show I should be running....I'm running. No benefit of the doubt given in a situation like that.
July 4, 2018
This is a true crime book about a mother who does away with her husbands for money (a black widow) but who also uses her kids to help with the dirty work. It's odd to me that they defend her and want to stick by her even though they know what she did.
October 4, 2011
From the beginning of this true-life account of "the bloody crimes and execution of the Texas Black Widow," we already know the outcome. We know she kills two husbands, is convicted of the crimes, and is executed—the second woman in Texas to be executed since the Civil War.
But much of the narrative of "Buried Memories : The Bloody Crimes and Execution of the Texas Black Widow" simply chronicles the life of Betty Lou Dunevant Beets, complete with snippets of her childhood experiences and the numerous marriages (five), along with the birth of six children. Most of the children were parceled off to various relatives or their fathers, while Betty pursued her next man and her next financial gain. Acquiring property, even something simple like a trailer, became an obsession—and would be among other listed motives for the murders, despite her protests that she was a battered wife.
Probably the most heinous aspect to this woman's crimes, aside from the sheer coldblooded nature of the acts, was how she used her children as accomplices.
Even when she was finally arrested and her trial began, and even after her conviction, it was fifteen years before she was finally executed. And during that time, there were many appeals and efforts to overturn the conviction.
What forces combined to create such a monster hidden behind the sweet, demure and often sociable veneer this woman presented? And how could she fool so many men into marrying her? Even her supporters, including those children she used, would have to admit that she often, in a split second, could turn cold and evil.
Was it simply a matter of the sociopathic charms that killers often hide behind? I did find myself fascinated by the story, but even as I searched for clues along the way, there were few to show us how she came to be the way she was.
In some ways, the story was just a lot of factual information gleaned from various sources and nothing speculative that would tell us why. Perhaps there are no answers. I found the story captivating, but also like reading newspaper or magazine accounts. I would have enjoyed a more exploratory venture. Therefore, I'm giving this one three stars.
But much of the narrative of "Buried Memories : The Bloody Crimes and Execution of the Texas Black Widow" simply chronicles the life of Betty Lou Dunevant Beets, complete with snippets of her childhood experiences and the numerous marriages (five), along with the birth of six children. Most of the children were parceled off to various relatives or their fathers, while Betty pursued her next man and her next financial gain. Acquiring property, even something simple like a trailer, became an obsession—and would be among other listed motives for the murders, despite her protests that she was a battered wife.
Probably the most heinous aspect to this woman's crimes, aside from the sheer coldblooded nature of the acts, was how she used her children as accomplices.
Even when she was finally arrested and her trial began, and even after her conviction, it was fifteen years before she was finally executed. And during that time, there were many appeals and efforts to overturn the conviction.
What forces combined to create such a monster hidden behind the sweet, demure and often sociable veneer this woman presented? And how could she fool so many men into marrying her? Even her supporters, including those children she used, would have to admit that she often, in a split second, could turn cold and evil.
Was it simply a matter of the sociopathic charms that killers often hide behind? I did find myself fascinated by the story, but even as I searched for clues along the way, there were few to show us how she came to be the way she was.
In some ways, the story was just a lot of factual information gleaned from various sources and nothing speculative that would tell us why. Perhaps there are no answers. I found the story captivating, but also like reading newspaper or magazine accounts. I would have enjoyed a more exploratory venture. Therefore, I'm giving this one three stars.
March 24, 2017
Very good book about Betty Lou Beets and the murders of 2 of her husbands. The book was well researched and gave a good background on Betty and the events leading up to those murders. The section on her trial was on point and gave good highlights. It did not go word by word, but rather summarized the witnesses and did not talk about each and every sidebar or objection. I have to admit I preferred that, as sometimes those things end up being boring and wordy. The author did really well with this. I really liked this book and will read the author's other books, as well.
January 26, 2016
A pretty good read about a very, very interesting case. The book was well-organized, never repetitive and never bogged down, even though the writing was pretty clumsy in spots. Half the people in this story were real characters, which kept things moving right along. Well worth a look.
April 10, 2009
This is the true story of a woman named Betty Lou Beets who was known as the Texas Black Widow.
September 7, 2023
Betty Lou Beets is the star here and she is a doozy. The femme fatale's husband, Jimmy Don Beets had gone a-missin' from a small fishing boat in a lake in rural Texas in 1983. The much beloved fireman met Betty at a bar where she worked and she became his fourth wife. The expression, "nice guys finish last" should have been the title of this book.
In a lighter moment, Betty auditioned at a strip club and was arrested for indecency when she allowed a patron to grab hold of an ample breast.
Betty first married at fifteen and gave birth to six children and two of them helped her in the disposal of her dead partners. The poor schmuck Jimmy Don was husband number five and had built a wishing well on their property at the insistence of Betty. It would be his final resting place.
Ms. Beet's had a big mouth and after a few cocktails she would sometimes mention the fact that she killed and buried two husbands on her property. Two years after Jimmy's disappearance, Betty informed one of her many sex partners of this fact at a no-tell motel during an afternoon encounter. Her latest boyfriend was an ex-con who made a deal with the law to avoid another trip to the penitentiary. His testimony was downright bizarre.
The black widow claimed that her son Robby shot Jimmy Don. Robby and one his sisters testified against mommy dearest and she became a fellow death row neighbor of Karla Faye Tucker. Praise the Lord, as both killers found Jesus Christ while awaiting execution.
I would have given Buried Memories five stars except for the omission of any follow-up as to what happened to the offspring who helped to bury her murder victims.
In a lighter moment, Betty auditioned at a strip club and was arrested for indecency when she allowed a patron to grab hold of an ample breast.
Betty first married at fifteen and gave birth to six children and two of them helped her in the disposal of her dead partners. The poor schmuck Jimmy Don was husband number five and had built a wishing well on their property at the insistence of Betty. It would be his final resting place.
Ms. Beet's had a big mouth and after a few cocktails she would sometimes mention the fact that she killed and buried two husbands on her property. Two years after Jimmy's disappearance, Betty informed one of her many sex partners of this fact at a no-tell motel during an afternoon encounter. Her latest boyfriend was an ex-con who made a deal with the law to avoid another trip to the penitentiary. His testimony was downright bizarre.
The black widow claimed that her son Robby shot Jimmy Don. Robby and one his sisters testified against mommy dearest and she became a fellow death row neighbor of Karla Faye Tucker. Praise the Lord, as both killers found Jesus Christ while awaiting execution.
I would have given Buried Memories five stars except for the omission of any follow-up as to what happened to the offspring who helped to bury her murder victims.
November 23, 2020
Understanding killers
Interesting story of a woman who killed two husbands and included her children in the crimes. She had a tough beginning in life but always seemed to be lord about herself Thanh anyone. Having lived with a narcissist for many years I can relate to this. Still this woman was so cold she had one husband build a wishing which would later be his grave. She had that same husband build a shed over another husband’s grave. A chilling evil individual who ripped many lives apart.
Interesting story of a woman who killed two husbands and included her children in the crimes. She had a tough beginning in life but always seemed to be lord about herself Thanh anyone. Having lived with a narcissist for many years I can relate to this. Still this woman was so cold she had one husband build a wishing which would later be his grave. She had that same husband build a shed over another husband’s grave. A chilling evil individual who ripped many lives apart.
June 13, 2019
The truth isn't always pretty
This book shows all the variables involved in the investigation of murder and the heartbreak of loss of family to vile and selfish acts of another. The people who give their time, energy, and very essence to prosecuting and acting as defenders to those accused of crime are all that stands between anarchy and justice across our nation. Read this book to gain a clearer understanding !
This book shows all the variables involved in the investigation of murder and the heartbreak of loss of family to vile and selfish acts of another. The people who give their time, energy, and very essence to prosecuting and acting as defenders to those accused of crime are all that stands between anarchy and justice across our nation. Read this book to gain a clearer understanding !
July 12, 2020
Alright, so this was a hot mess! Not the author, writing or whatever--but the stuff that this woman did was unreal! She was so delusional! I could not believe it! It blew my mind! Threw her OWN kids under the bus! What the hell!? I mean what kind of mother does that?! She was so greedy, that she did not care!
Loved the book! I did---it was like watching Tiger King, it's a hot mess, but you can't wait to see what happens next!! LOL
Loved the book! I did---it was like watching Tiger King, it's a hot mess, but you can't wait to see what happens next!! LOL
August 3, 2021
😲
The epitome of a Black Widow. Beets who tires very quickly of several husbands decides to kill a few and involves a few of her children in disposing of the bodies afterwards. From the start of her life to the very end. Instead of just leaving her husbands she had to make it more final to try and claim on life insurances after the correct amount of years has passed of them being missing to be declared dead.
True crime and sickening.
The epitome of a Black Widow. Beets who tires very quickly of several husbands decides to kill a few and involves a few of her children in disposing of the bodies afterwards. From the start of her life to the very end. Instead of just leaving her husbands she had to make it more final to try and claim on life insurances after the correct amount of years has passed of them being missing to be declared dead.
True crime and sickening.
October 13, 2023
Really well-written true crime book about a woman who killed two husbands and could have gotten away with it if she had kept her mouth shut. I say it was well-written because even the investigation and trial contained new information and was not simply taken from transcripts and reports, or at least it didn't seem that way. I didn't know anything about this woman and did not read the information on the back of the book, so was surprised at the ending.
October 17, 2017
Good read about a very mean woman. She needed to meet her fate a lot sooner than so much later. This execution is what is know in Texas as, Total rehabilitation! Kill to get in ,die to get out! You kill in Texas, you will die on a journey made for you. AMEN!!!
She got her just reward, Texas style. Don't mess with Texas. We use Texas style Rehabilitation and you will die!
She got her just reward, Texas style. Don't mess with Texas. We use Texas style Rehabilitation and you will die!
June 26, 2017
Beware! Deadly Woman
Be careful when you fall in love with, that person my end your life for you. This woman had no morals. I think she believed that killing was a hobby, that she enjoyed. Overall, a good book.
Be careful when you fall in love with, that person my end your life for you. This woman had no morals. I think she believed that killing was a hobby, that she enjoyed. Overall, a good book.
October 22, 2018
A page turner and fast read.
This was a very detailed and informative book that captivated me from page one. The research for this true story must have taken much time for the author to do because all sides of the story was told with so much detail.
This was a very detailed and informative book that captivated me from page one. The research for this true story must have taken much time for the author to do because all sides of the story was told with so much detail.
August 23, 2023
I didn’t realize this case was this case until I started reading it! I’m pretty sure Small Town Murder podcast did an episode on this case. Turns out, I’ve stayed at an AirBnb in Gun Barrel City! Right on the lake in the book….the same lake where her HUSBAND WAS KILLED!! Woah.
July 17, 2018
A interesting book
Fast pace another North Carolina killer good book felt sorry for her family she was evil I think the death penalty is wrong brings so much misery
Fast pace another North Carolina killer good book felt sorry for her family she was evil I think the death penalty is wrong brings so much misery
July 19, 2018
The story of a woman that takes matters into her own hands will give the reader the willies. Why not divorce instead of killing your mate is my question?
August 2, 2018
Very well done
Although the story is gruesome, the author did an excellent job of telling the story, filled with details. The attention to detail and accuracy was impressive .
Although the story is gruesome, the author did an excellent job of telling the story, filled with details. The attention to detail and accuracy was impressive .
Read
July 28, 2020DNF
January 2, 2021
A wild ride through the life of a woman who killed and involved her children in her crimes.
January 25, 2024
It was a good story overall but some of it seemed disjointed. There were a lot of players and sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was who.
January 6, 2025
Solid True Crime book.
Listened to on audio.
Listened to on audio.
October 6, 2014
For me this author went from hero to zero. I read a previous book by her and it was an easy 5 stars-just terrific-but this one is terribly written and I got to 85% and started flicking through pulling out pertinent information till the end. I'd had enough. I certainly won't be buying any more by her. So disappointing when this happens-you think you've found a great new author then get horribly let down.
The last book had hardly any mistakes in it whereas it's not the case with this one. There are dropped words from sentences and complimented used instead of complemented and there were a lot of misused or misplaced speechmarks throughout. Then I.15am was used instead of 1.15am-just sloppy.
Betty was certainly a case-and-a-half. She just didn't care at all for anybody except herself, it seems. Just unbelievable. Thought it was very "white trash" to be getting married off at 15. Surely that's not normal behaviour in the States nowadays, is it ? Then naming her boys Robby and Bobby was a little peculiar. Seems she couldn't do without a man in her life and always had to marry them !! Yet the total of most of her relationships was barely a year together in meeting, going out, getting engaged, marrying then divorcing. Shocking stuff. Very odd too the way she involved her kids in her crimes with nary a thought for them in the least. Although they went along with her and kept quiet so they're hardly blameless.
In places it all seemed totally unbelievable with people getting duffed up by smalltime hoods and the way the lawyer defending Betty behaved was dire. I was totally baffled as to why she shouldn't refer to Barker in the Beets' case as I thought she was in court for both murders. It wasn't clearly explained and neither was the reasoning for a mistrial being requested. All a bit of a confusing mess. The referring to the 2 stolen swords and as it pertained to HER trial was never properly explained, either. Seems she even got bored with the whole project herself but put it out there anyway !!
The last book had hardly any mistakes in it whereas it's not the case with this one. There are dropped words from sentences and complimented used instead of complemented and there were a lot of misused or misplaced speechmarks throughout. Then I.15am was used instead of 1.15am-just sloppy.
Betty was certainly a case-and-a-half. She just didn't care at all for anybody except herself, it seems. Just unbelievable. Thought it was very "white trash" to be getting married off at 15. Surely that's not normal behaviour in the States nowadays, is it ? Then naming her boys Robby and Bobby was a little peculiar. Seems she couldn't do without a man in her life and always had to marry them !! Yet the total of most of her relationships was barely a year together in meeting, going out, getting engaged, marrying then divorcing. Shocking stuff. Very odd too the way she involved her kids in her crimes with nary a thought for them in the least. Although they went along with her and kept quiet so they're hardly blameless.
In places it all seemed totally unbelievable with people getting duffed up by smalltime hoods and the way the lawyer defending Betty behaved was dire. I was totally baffled as to why she shouldn't refer to Barker in the Beets' case as I thought she was in court for both murders. It wasn't clearly explained and neither was the reasoning for a mistrial being requested. All a bit of a confusing mess. The referring to the 2 stolen swords and as it pertained to HER trial was never properly explained, either. Seems she even got bored with the whole project herself but put it out there anyway !!
August 30, 2014
Buried Memories is narrated by George Newbern. He has the ideal voice and tone for such a read. The true story takes you back through Betty’s life as a young mom, and details about where she would meet her future husbands and what she looked for in a husband. Betty’s formula was definitely premeditated. She became known as the Texas Black Widow. More heartbreaking, is the way she involved her son and daughter in her doings… in one case, having her adult daughter come over and help her move the body.
A strange and powerful retelling of Betty’s horrifying crimes without being graphic or gory (two things that would have been deal breakers for me).
Readers of True Crime would appreciate this retelling of Betty’s troubled life and the psyche that led her to become the woman she was. For more detailed thoughts on this book as well as others: http://bookjourney.net/2014/08/16/bur...
A strange and powerful retelling of Betty’s horrifying crimes without being graphic or gory (two things that would have been deal breakers for me).
Readers of True Crime would appreciate this retelling of Betty’s troubled life and the psyche that led her to become the woman she was. For more detailed thoughts on this book as well as others: http://bookjourney.net/2014/08/16/bur...
April 26, 2016
Really, it gets a 3.5.
I wasn't familiar with Betty Lou Beets before this book, so I can't judge on how accurately Pence told the story. Listening to the audiobook, which was well read, was also confusing, because Betty has a lot of family members, and I sometimes had a hard time keeping up with who was who.
The book starts out strong, but as the story unfolds, I can't decide if the book is accurate--in which case both Betty's family and the Texas legal process are a hot mess--or if it's messy writing. This is especially true of the supposed "expert" witness testimony during her trial. To be fair, this was an earlier era, but there was a real "aw, shucks" quality to the legal counsel and the testimony that is rather horrifying considering this was a death penalty case.
Still, it's a fascinating document, and I'm curious how this case would have been handled had it all happened today.
I wasn't familiar with Betty Lou Beets before this book, so I can't judge on how accurately Pence told the story. Listening to the audiobook, which was well read, was also confusing, because Betty has a lot of family members, and I sometimes had a hard time keeping up with who was who.
The book starts out strong, but as the story unfolds, I can't decide if the book is accurate--in which case both Betty's family and the Texas legal process are a hot mess--or if it's messy writing. This is especially true of the supposed "expert" witness testimony during her trial. To be fair, this was an earlier era, but there was a real "aw, shucks" quality to the legal counsel and the testimony that is rather horrifying considering this was a death penalty case.
Still, it's a fascinating document, and I'm curious how this case would have been handled had it all happened today.
December 21, 2014
Interesting and well resaerched
Although the book contains some distracting grammatical error it was engrossing & appeared to be well researched. The author did a good job of developing &presenting the character of Mrs. Beets. The trial coverage was very complete. I would have appreciated more thoroughness in the pretrial years. The pretrial years seemed superficial in comparison. Overall a good read.
Although the book contains some distracting grammatical error it was engrossing & appeared to be well researched. The author did a good job of developing &presenting the character of Mrs. Beets. The trial coverage was very complete. I would have appreciated more thoroughness in the pretrial years. The pretrial years seemed superficial in comparison. Overall a good read.
May 4, 2008
A slightly overpriced five dollar book I bought to pass the time of a flight to Miami. Generally interesting if you have a desire to refresh yourselves on the misery of some people. The last few pages provide a good reminder to not believe everything you see and hear on television about the "poor criminals" who are really victims themselves.
March 16, 2014
A great book that keeps you wondering how she can possibly get away with these crimes.
A great account of a woman's greed and lack of remorse for the men who loved her and her own children whom she loved. Money truly is the root of all evil and this book describes a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I am glad I purchased this book to read.
A great account of a woman's greed and lack of remorse for the men who loved her and her own children whom she loved. Money truly is the root of all evil and this book describes a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I am glad I purchased this book to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews