Edna Hodges Bettis

Mrs. Edna E. Hodges Bettis, age 94, of Springfield, Virginia passed away peacefully on Friday, September 10 at her home surrounded by family. Edna was born on January 29, 1927 in Stokes, North Carolina to Julia A. Mayo and Theophilus H. Hodges. She graduated from Stokes-Pactolus High School and at age 18 moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There, she met James A. Bettis and they married on February 24, 1947. They settled down in Alexandria and later Springfield. They had three children: Bonnie, Thomas, and James. Edna and James were married for 40 years before he passed in 1987. Edna was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her whole life was dedicated to caring for her family and others. She was the most loving and selfless person you could meet. She delighted in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She truly was the center of our family. Her home was the family gathering place, and her door was always open. Having grown up on a farm, she loved to garden. She spent countless hours in the garden at their home on Rolling Road, and later in the yard of her home on Evanston Road, both in Springfield. She had a remarkable sense of humor and made us laugh many times at her quick wit. She loved family most of all, and we are blessed to have had her in our lives for so long. Although we miss her greatly, we know she is with our Lord in Heaven and reunited with her husband James and other beloved family members. She is preceded in death by her husband James, brothers Lawrence and Hagon, sisters Marie and Juanita, and grandson Kenneth. She is survived by her children Bonnie, Thomas (Trish), and James (Kathy), six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law Shirley Hodges. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14 at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22306.