Betty Jean Tew

Betty went to be with her Lord on September 24, 2015.

Betty was born in Newton County, MS on June 23, 1929 to William Jackson and Nellie Bly Gressett Harris. Betty lived most of her life in Jackson and Madison, MS where she called home for the last 21 years. Betty retired from the MS Dept. of Rehabilitation in 1994 after 34 years of service. Betty was the matriarch of her family.

After her husband’s passing, Betty held tight to her family and was the glue that bound. Betty, affectionately called Mimi by her family, set the standard for caring, love, and unselfish giving to others that we, her family, will forever carry forward.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Tew, as well as three brothers and two sisters.

Mimi leaves behind two sons, Randy Tew (Sharon) and Michael Tew (Lisa), both of Madison; grandchildren that she cherished with all her heart, Lindsey Tew Simmons (Steve), Scott Stephens (Kimberly), Justin Tew, Jordan Tew; great granddaughter, Reese Stephens; sister, Patricia Buckley of Meridian, MS; and her very special niece, that was like her daughter, Debbie Owen of Madison.

Mimi will be deeply missed by all her family and many friends. Mimi loved her church, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, of which she was been a faithful longtime member for 59 years, and she loved her Sunday School class.

Her family wishes to thank Bro. Phil Walker, Bro. Greg O’Neil, and staff and Ridgecrest for their love, caring, support, and prayers provided our family and mother. We also want to thank the nurses in CCU and staff at St. Dominic’s Hospital, along with her doctors, especially the care Dr. David Sullivan provided her for so many years.

Funeral services for Mimi will be held Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 11:00 am at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be held Friday, September 25, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and from 10:00 am until 11:00 am Saturday at Parkway Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral service at Natchez Trace Cemetery in Madison.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Ministry at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.