Some people spend a lifetime being known by their first name. Betty Lee Marcoe spent hers earning a much more special title, Nana. And if you were lucky enough to know her, chances are you called her that too.

Betty Lee Marcoe, lovingly known as "Nana," passed away peacefully on July 26, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born on June 11, 1938, to Jenny Lee Smith and William Aaron Smith, Nana was a proud Texas woman who eventually made Kansas her home so she could be closer to the people she loved most, her family.

To know Nana was to know laughter, unconditional love, and a little bit of sass. She was funny, stubborn, nurturing, and never afraid to speak her mind. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, which is why so many people lovingly knew her simply as "Nana."

She loved cooking for the people she cared about, watching her favorite black-and-white television shows, collecting pens, and admiring birds. And if you were looking for Nana, there was a good chance you'd find her wrapped in one of her favorite robes with a pocket full of tissues, always prepared for whatever the day might bring.

Even at 88 years old, Nana reminded us that life is meant to be lived. She recently got a tattoo representing the family she cherished so deeply. A beautiful reminder that, to Nana, family was always growing and there was always room in her heart for one more.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jennie Lee Smith and William Aaron Smith, and her beloved son, Michael Marcoe.

She leaves behind a family who adored her, including her daughter, Jayme Sexton and Rick Sexton; her grandchildren, Tyra Carey and CJ Carey, along with his wife, Sydney Reyes; her great-grandchildren, James Carey, Zoey Wyckoff, Jace Carey, and Brooks Carey; her treasured great-great-grandson, Ricky; and many extended family members, dear friends, and countless others who were fortunate enough to call her Nana.

Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that Nana's legacy isn't measured by the years she lived, but by the meals she lovingly prepared, the stories she shared, the hugs she gave, and the unwavering love she poured into every generation of her family.

The world feels a little less bright without her, but every yellow flower, every bird that sings, and every family gathering will remind us of the extraordinary woman who showed us what unconditional love truly looks like.

If you'd like to honor Nana's memory, spend time with your family, watch an old black-and-white movie, feed the birds, wear something yellow, and don't forget to keep a tissue in your pocket, just like Nana always did.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at 811 E. 10th Ave., Winfield, KS 67156