Bettye Jean Murray-Atkins
Bettye Jean Murray-Atkins, 82, of Chattanooga, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at her residence.
She was born on November 29, 1938, to Olden and Gentsey Willis in Molena, Georgia. She was a 1958 graduate of Pike County Consolidated School. After high school, she moved to Chattanooga, where she met and married Calvin Murray and to this union four children were born. Bettye was employed by Erlanger Hospital, Buster Brown, Inc., and retired from Royal Desota Inc. She was a faithful member of the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and program committee. Bettye was an avid baker and a remarkably gifted seamstress for many years. She was a volunteer for Rainbow Day Care Center, CSAS, Baylor School, and First-Centenary U.M. Church Inner City Ministry. She also baked cakes for Herman’s Soul Food & Catering. Her love extended far beyond her immediate family. Friends and family were always welcomed in her home with a big smile, listening ear, compassion, and a delicious meal which evolved into the Bettye’s Meals on Wheels Ministry. She found love again and married Elbert Atkins, Sr.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Olden and Gentsey Willis; husband, Calvin Murray; son, Anthony Murray; and daughter, Valerie Evans.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Elbert Atkins, Sr.; devoted son, Gregory (Pearl) Murray; dedicated daughter, Alicia Dianne Parks; grandchildren, Sirena (Jeff) Mendoza, David Wallace, DeAnthony (Michelle) Murray, Kansas City, MO, Jonathan (Amanda) Murray, Cullen, VA, Marshall Parks, Madison, AL, Lakeisha Williams, great-grandchildren, Tayler, Breana, Reef, Violet, Malachi, Skylar Jean, Elijah, and Easton Calvin; brothers, Billy Willis and Roosevelt (Gloria) Willis; sisters, Bertha Mae Holloway of Columbus, OH, Alberta (Albert) Blackmon, Laura (Bo) Parks, Alice (Robert) Buckner, Lillian Lucier, all of Molena, GA, Dorothy (Rubin) Washington of Homestead, FL, and Geraldine (Henry) Crawford of Atlanta, GA; brother-in-law, Fred (Florida) Murray; godchildren, Leon Rice, K.C. Dixon, and Karen Fletcher; stepchildren, David (Wonda) Atkins of Atlanta, GA, Harriet Jackson of Austin, TX, Deborah (Forrester) Goodrich of Houston, TX, Nelle (Rodney) Freeman, Elbert (Karen) Atkins, Jr., both of Memphis, TN, Karen (Charles) Campbell, Kimberly (Darren) Carter, both of Dallas, TX, 16 step-grandchildren; 5 step-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives; special friends, Mary Evans, Marsha Hayes, Edna Pringle, Gwen Williams and many other friends.
Bettye will lie in state on Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 12:30-5 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, Aug. 5, at noon in the chapel with Pastor Samuel Jackson as the eulogist. Burial will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
Bettye JEan Murray-Atkins