Elizabeth "Betty" Jo T. Grant Wills Painter, 86 of Dalton, Ga., died Thursday, July 5, 2012, after a year and a half battle with a very rare stomach cancer. She was at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Betty lived most of her life in Dalton, graduating from Dalton High School in 1943. She graduated from Herron School of Business and worked at Showalter’s/L. A. Lee Printing Company for many years. She met her first husband, Paul A. Wills, at Showalter’s. They married on May 3, 1946 and were together for 49 years until his death in 1995. The Wills were very active in Eastside Baptist until relocating to Macon, Ga. for eight years. When they returned to Dalton, they began attending First Baptist where Betty served faithfully as church hostess for 25 years. She also worked part-time at Whitfield County Probate Court. She met her second husband, Marshall Painter, at a ballroom dancing class and they were happily married 11 years.
Betty was an amazing woman, loved by everyone who knew her. She was always concerned about how others were feeling. Even in her weakest moments during her illness, she always wanted to know how the other person was. Such selfless love for others and her deep, deep love of Jesus were her greatest attributes. Her focus in life was to love and honor God. She will be greatly missed by many, many people.
She was preceded in death by first husband Paul A. Wills, father Troy Grant, mother Paralee Newberry Grant Reddix, sister Catherine Bagley, and stepfather Guite Reddix. Betty is survived by husband Marshall Painter of the residence, children and spouses, Randy and Lynn Wills of Marietta, Suzanne and Marty Booth of Chatsworth, David and Tina Wills of Cumming, and Joey and Kimberly Wills of Rocky Face. Also stepchildren Ellen Painter & Bill Swift of Dawsonville, Scott and Pat Painter of Dalton, Donna and John Soules of Dahlonega, and David & Jan Painter of Waxhaw, N.C. Grandchildren Kim and Jason Sleeman, Jenny Wills, Matt Wills, Michael Booth, Heather and Chris Tipton, David and Wendy Booth, Kevin and Jennifer Booth, Christy and Kevin Wingfield, Melissa & Andreas Herz, Bennett Wills, and Colby Wills. step-grandchildren Kurt Painter, Hannah Painter, Davis Painter, Madison Painter, Erin Libby, and Julie Dougherty.
Also surviving are 17 great-grandchildren and lots of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Bill Ireland, Rev. Dr. Billy Nimmons, Rev. Phillip Cannon and Rev. Larry Flanagan officiating.
The family will receive friends Friday at Love Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday in the Atrium of the Church one hour prior to services at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Men’s Prayer Breakfast and/or to the Soul Food Ministry at First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 827, Dalton, GA 30720. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.