As a youth, Betty was educated in the Talladega, Alabama school system. After high school, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and attended Massey Business School where she earned an Associates Degree in Accounting. Betty was employed by Retail Credit and Munford, Inc., but quickly decided to embraced her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened an in-home childcare which she operated successfully over 25 years. She was an adventurer and took the children in her care on many field trips throughout Atlanta, Carowinds Amusement Park in North Carolina and Disney World in Florida. Over the years, Betty has cared for, loved, and mentored many children with whom she remained connected throughout their adult lives. She has also been known as the neighborhood “Candy Lady” for several years.
In 1969, Betty married the absolute love of her life, the late Wilbur Jennings. They shared a wonderful and blessed life together for 37 years until he departed this life in April 2006.
Betty’s relationship with the Lord and her work in the Kingdom of God was what she cherished most. Betty was saved at an early age and was faithful to various churches and ministries over the course of her life. She was an Evangelist, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Director, Youth Leader, Women’s Ministry and served in any other area she could render her gifts and talents. Betty served faithfully under the Pastoral leadership of Apostle Steven Robinson (Christ Apostolic Life Church) in Douglasville, Georgia until her health began to decline.
Betty loved to have fun and stayed on “ready” when it came to a going on a good road trip. During the summer months, you could oftentimes find her at Six Flags just walking around, enjoying the food and the people. Everyone who met her understood that Betty believed in living her best life, and she lived it to the fullest.
To cherish her memories are her son, Wilbur Kyle (Arlissa) Jennings, Jr., her daughter, Robyn (Contrell) Jones; three grandchildren, Jordyn Jennings, Amari Cook and Michael Cook; four brothers, Dock (Catherine) Russell, Walter (Mary) Russell, James Russell and David Russell; seven sisters, Annie Storey, Dorothy Whittsett, Carolyn (Everley) Brown, Deloise (Eddie) Fikes, Linda Faye (Larry) Brantley, Joyce Babbs and Adrienne Underwood; brother-in-law, James Jennings; and sister-in-laws, Mary Grier, Nina (Richard) Ammons, and Gloria Franks. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends. Betty was blessed to have many render their time and service to help during her illness. She was especially blessed to have her sisters, Linda Brantley and Deloise Fikes and brother, Dock Russell, as her special daily caretakers.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Jennings; parents, Dock & Annie Russell; and sisters, Paulette Russell and Peggy A. Hairston.
Betty will always be remembered as a mover and a shaker. She has touched, encouraged, comforted, and helped so many people while here on earth. In the words of Maya Angelou, “When you see me passing, it ought to make you proud. I say, it's in the click of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, the need for my care. ‘Cause I'm a woman, Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me!”
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