Betty Shaw Waites

Early Monday morning, February 27, 2017, my mother, Betty Waites, took a non-stop flight to heaven to be with her Lord and the love of her life of 55 years. I have been blessed beyond measure to have had this godly woman as my best friend and mother.

A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 2:00 pm, at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Haughton, Louisiana for Betty Shaw Waites. Visitation will be observed from 12:00 pm on Saturday, until the time of services, at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Cemetery in Haughton, Louisiana.

A Gathering of Friends and Family will take place at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Monday, March 6, 2017, at 4:00 pm, followed by a Memorial Service in honor of Betty Waites, which will be held that same day at 5:45 pm.

Betty, the youngest child of four children, of Alphie Beene Shaw and Archibald was born August 12, 1934, in Vivian, Louisiana. She was raised in Trees City and graduated from Vivian High School in 1953. Betty met Edward Waites, who was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, at the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport, and married on June 12, 1953. Their marriage was a testament of true love, devotion and commitment. Betty began her career as a bookkeeper at Brown and Root and later went to work for non-appropriated funds at all of the Air Force bases where she and Ed were stationed throughout the United States and Okinawa.

Betty was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Bossier, where she taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the Adult Women’s Sunday School Class, was active in the Mary Ewing Sunday school class, the UMW, and Young at Heart. Betty was proud to be a Rainbow Girl in her teenage years and later became a member of the Eastern Star. She also was a member of the Daughters of the Nile and a Lioness with the Lions Club. Betty was an active member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and was honored to be chosen as the 1983 ABWA Woman of the Year.

Betty is survived by her only child and daughter, Terri Waites Hill. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Amanda Hill Henderson and her husband, Christopher and their children, Cole and Aubrey and her grandson, Trenton Hill and his fiancée, Jewels and their daughter, Callie and stepchildren, Harley and Bentley. Betty is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward, her parents and her three brothers, Odell, Irvin and Carlton Shaw.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Ida Narcisse for her friendship and devoted care to her family over the past three years. Additionally, the family would like to send their heartfelt gratitude to Pelican Pointe Nursing Facility and Hospice of Acadiana for standing by the family with support and love.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Bossier in Betty’s name.