Betty Jones Respess

It is with great sorrow that the family of Betty Jones Respess, of South Chesterfield, Virginia, announces her passing on December 27, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer. Betty (also known as Mom, Mama, and Granny) passed peacefully at her home surrounded by family.

Born September 21, 1938, Betty was raised in the small town of Ayden, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Lee Jones (Mammy); and absent father, Luby D. Cox. Betty was raised by her mother and two uncles, Pee-Mack, and Herb. Betty graduated from Ayden High School in 1956 and retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation as an Administrative Assistant in 2008.

Survivors include her four children, Cynthia Hendrick (Johnny), David Tyson (Susan), Allyson Gough (their deceased father: James R. Tyson), and Karla Viar (Troy) (her deceased father: Arnett Respess); plus numerous precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by her cherished cat, "Nemo", who was given to her by great-grand-daughter, Morgan Mills.

Betty was a true North Carolina Tar Heel, had a zest for life, was a fighter, loved people, her family, the American Flag, and Calvary Baptist Church with all her heart. Betty overcame many trials and tribulations during her lifetime but pressed forward and put God first.

Until this past summer, Betty could be found driving up and down the Boulevard attending Calvary Baptist Church where she was a member since the 1960's, arranging meals for church-member funerals, talking and texting on her cell phone, hauling grandchildren, shopping at Sam's Club and Food Lion, working a part-time job, and hitting the drive-through at Cook-Out for a BBQ tray. Betty enjoyed sit-down meals with her family, especially their monthly "Family Happenings" dinner which normally involved her ordering a steak, a "hot" baked potato, and a salad with "extra" blue-cheese dressing. Betty also enjoyed thrifting and to her daughters' dismay, welcomed bags of items that anyone was discarding. Her grand-daughter Ashlie Gentry was famous for giving Granny all of her "donations" for Granny to go through.

Family and friends will assemble at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. A chapel service officiated by Mom's pastor; Dr. Ray Haskett, will follow at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Chester at 2:00 pm.

The family would like to thank Mom's attentive doctors, Dr. Brown and Dr. Nalluri, the hospice staff from AT Home Care and Mom's amazing private caregiver, Mrs. Sandra Parham, for the wonderful and gentle care over this year. We would also like to recognize the life-long true friendships Mom had until this day with, Mrs. Betty Bonds, Mrs. Ethel Houser, John and Patty Ryan, and J.B. and Linda Brown, as well as her friendship with Wallace Reuter who passed in 2016.

During the past few months Mom said she didn't want to leave her children and family, but she had faith in the good Lord and knew we would always stick together. We will miss our mother immensely but find peace in knowing that Mom is pain-free and with her heavenly Father. Among many ways, we will especially remember Mom every time we use a crockpot, need a cookbook, or hear a Merle Haggard song.

Betty's favorite bible verse from the King James version was John 3:16, and she would highly encourage all to deepen their faith and connect with God.

At the request of Betty's family, in lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be provided to Calvary Baptist Church (Teen Fund), at 17001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.