Betty Ann was born in Snowdoun, Alabama to E.C. and Ila Mae Webb and raised on a dairy farm along with her three sisters. She graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and worked as a typist in Montgomery before meeting her husband of 71 years, Benny Whitehead who was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base. Once married, Betty Ann traveled the world with Benny during his career in the Air Force and raised three children. They eventually returned to Montgomery, Alabama 40 years ago to join their children and grandchildren, and happily made it their permanent residence.
Betty Ann’s life is best summed by 5 C’s- children (especially the grands), crafting, cooking, crocheting, and church. Betty loved to cook, especially during the holidays, and was most famous, among her grandchildren, for her church window cookies and divinity. She typically made these at Christmas, her favorite holiday, or from time to time, during the “off-season”- when her grandchildren pleaded relentlessly for the special treat. Betty Ann loved crafts and her sunroom was filled with various artwork and bouquets she arranged for friends, family, and guests to take if they pleased. Christmas provided the perfect opportunity to fill her days in the ‘craft room’ crafting beautiful tributes to the holidays, and during Easter, the grandkids never hunted an easter egg that wasn’t beautifully embellished or highly adorned. To this day, all other eggs fall short.
She loved her grandchildren. Fortunately for both parties, they lived down the road during much of their childhood and would frequently ride their bikes over to “grandmom’s and grandad’s” to swim… and raid the pantry for sweets. And visitors would often find Betty Ann on the couch crocheting an afghan, a hobby she tried to foist on her grandchildren but they took no interest and instead found joy in using her yarn for less legitimate activities, like stringing up G.I. Joe’s’ and other toys. She always had plenty of yarn on hand, as she was always crocheting something for someone, and never minded the thousands of yards wasted by her grandchildren. Betty Ann loved the Lord and her church, Perry Hill United Methodist where she and Benny were members for nearly 40 years. She often spoke of her church family and when she could no longer attend services, members of the congregation were always present, regularly calling and visiting with her.
Betty Ann had many talents and friends, but the hallmark of her life was her marriage to Benny and the love and devotion they had for one another. When Betty Ann was diagnosed with dementia, and later, Alzheimer’s disease, Benny was committed to keeping her active and occupied in an attempt to delay the progress of her disease. Daily, he would take her out for “errands”, lunch, or a field trip, despite his own declining physical health. When she was no longer able to leave the house, Benny was always by her side, until his death 2 months ago.
Betty and Benny are now sharing eternity together after 71 beautiful years together in this world. Betty was also preceded in death by her 3 sisters; Evelyn W. Atkins, Grace W. Franklin, and Marjorie W. Foster. She is survived by her three children, Gareth Whitehead (TJ), Deborah Whitehead, and Brenda Graves; three grandchildren, Amanda Senn, Joshua Graves, and Kristi Olson (Derek); and one sweet great grandchild, Josette Olson.
The family would like to thank Dr. Raghu Mukkamala for the many years of compassionate care he provided Betty and Benny; Robert Gray, for the many years of friendship and service; and Brenda Myles, her caretaker, for the kindness the kindness and compassion she provided to Betty during the past few months.
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