Betty Lee Holley

Betty Lee Down Holley, 86, died Monday, March 9, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Archie Reed Holley. She leaves a son, John Holley (Shelley), two daughters, Linda Kulow (Kieth) and LeAnn Dowty (Dan), and seven grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Bob Down (Evelyn) and a sister, Mary Lou Brown (Bob). Raised in Brighton, IL, Betty spent much of her adult life in Memphis, TN. Her later years were in Olive Branch, MS and, most recently, at Kirby Pines Retirement Community. She met her husband, Reed, in San Antonio where both were serving in the U.S. Air Force. Betty was one of the first five WAFs assigned as telephone operators or “Hello Girls” at Lackland Air Force Base’s communication center. Prior to entering the Air Force, she was a telephone operator for Illinois Bell Telephone in Alton, IL. She later returned to work and retired from Sears. Throughout her life, Betty loved baking and arts and crafts, particularly painting. Visitation will be held at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch on Friday, March 13, 2015 at noon with the service following at 1 p.m. Burial will be at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Gracewood Baptist Church in Southaven. Online condolences may be made at www.BrantleyFuneral.com Brantley Funeral Home Olive Branch (662)895-2310.