Betty "Jimmie" Overcash

Betty “Jimmie” Overcash, 90, of Charlotte, passed away September 27, 2021 in her home. Born January 14, 1931 in Asheville, NC, she was the daughter of Plato T. Reese and Dollie A. Lunsford Davis. She married Floyd “Ray” Overcash on October 8, 1949.

As an adolescent, Jimmie moved to Charlotte to live with her grandmother, Etta and her aunts and uncle that she loved as her sisters and brother.

She met the love of her life, Ray, and they married while he was serving our country in the military. They co-founded the family business, Southeastern Plumbing & Heating, Inc., while raising 5 children.

A devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her huge family, Jimmie was a generous and selfless caretaker to many loved ones in her family.

She was a member of Newell Baptist Church for many years.

Survivors include her children, Ronnie (Sybil) Overcash, Carolyn Overcash, Garry (Desiree) Overcash, Billy (Dana) Overcash and Paula (Ole) Swenson; grandchildren, Stacie, Kasie, Ronnie II, Amanda, Leslie, Ryan, Kelsey, Kailyn, Elizabeth, Emma and Ole Jr.; 9 great-grandchildren; many loved cousins/nieces and nephews.

Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 50 years; brother, Billy Lanford; aunts and 1 uncle.

Funeral Service 2 p.m. Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC. Visitation 1 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. Condolences may be submitted at www.forestlawnwest.com.

“A Tribute to Mama”

How do you say goodbye to someone so deeply loved, by so many?

Words are so very inadequate to describe a life "Well lived". You see, the things mama did and cared about won't show up in the record books, TV, radio, magazines, etc. How she lived her life made a daily impact on her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family and friends. Material "Things" just didn't mean very much to her, people were what she loved and it showed in her speech and actions. If you needed encouragement, empathy, sage advice, wisdom, or just someone to listen, she could do all these things while making you feel like the most important person in the world. If you needed a friend, an advocate, a confidant, she was the best. Up until her last days she was concerned about whether you had enough to eat and would get up to give you her seat if you didn't stop her first. She wanted everyone around her to be comfortable, well fed and happy. You may get the impression that she was such a people pleaser that she would get taken advantage of at times. However, mama knew when enough was enough, and when she had extended herself far enough, she knew how to pull back and let others sink or swim.

Our mother was no push over when it came to matters of importance, she stood her ground and did not care if her stance was popular, current or politically correct. She was a gentle and soft-spoken lady but her words carried plenty of weight and she was the matriarch of our family. Yes, she was gentle, kind, loving, selfless, generous, but do not confuse her meekness with weakness. She would always set the record straight when it came to her beliefs, faith, and other matters of integrity.

If you were ever fortunate enough to be counted amongst her family or friends (her people), you were one of the wealthiest people in the world. She was easy to laugh and could spin a tale that would put you in the middle of it, all while maintaining the truth and integrity of the tale. This mother of five held no degrees, no certifications of higher education but had more common sense and understanding of people than anyone I've ever met. It is rare to meet someone like "Jimmie" as her family and friends know her. It is more rare to be able to call her “Mama” or “Mamaw” like we have been able to. We have been blessed to be part of a life well lived. This was her gift to us, to lead a life that honored God and showed his love for us. She did this by loving and caring for each of us, so let us do likewise. Mama, we love you and are forever in your debt. No gold or silver could ever buy the riches you left behind for us. The things you taught us and demonstrated are invaluable and could never be purchased. Your life had true meaning.

So, how do you say goodbye? Mama, we do not say goodbye, rather until we meet again.

Your eternally grateful family.