BEAUMONT, Texas — Betty Ruth Kaplan Greenberg passed away peacefully on December 1, 2023 at her home in Thomas Park in Beaumont.
Greenberg was dubbed the "Two-million-dollar- lady" because of the millions of dollars she donated to various charities including the United Way to the Sisterhood at Temple Emanuel and the United Jewish Appeal.
She did extensive fundraising for Lamar University, the March of Dimes and Boy's Haven. Greenberg is responsible for many fundraisers in Southeast Texas. She created the Boy's Haven annual fundraiser, the Crawfish Festival and the LU annual “Funtier Frolic” which she chaired for five years, raising over a $100,000 for the Presidential scholarship fund.
Greenberg served on the Board of Directors at St. Elizabeth Hospital for over decade. She also served as the Telethon Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association where she helped raise the largest amount the organization had received in any year.
Greenberg was a part of Beaumont Community Players for over 60 years. As a major benefactor, Greenberg had the honor of having the theater building named after her. Prior to being the “Fundraiser-in-Chief", Greenberg was a leading lady at the Community Players in the 1950s and 60s.
Originally born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on March 28, 1928, Greenberg moved to Beaumont after marrying the love of her life, Sheldon Greenberg, in 1946. They raised five children and built The Fair Stores into a twenty-eight store chain.
Former Texas governor Bill Clements declared Greenberg an honorary Texas Citizen. In her life as a Beaumont citizen Greenberg was honored by two former Beaumont mayors who created 'Betty Greenberg Day'. The Neches River Festival named her the Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
In 1991, she was declared the American Heart Association’s “Woman With Heart.” She also received the prestigious J. C. Creager Award.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Jewish Appeal, Israel Emergency Fund, https://www.ujafedny.org/israel-emergency-fund or the Betty Greenberg Center for Performing Arts.
Her funeral service will be on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 11 p.m. at Broussard’s on McFaddin Avenue with her interment following at Hebrew Rest Cemetery.