Betty Jo Heath, 1934-2023

Betty Heath, age 89, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at her home in Onward, Mississippi. She was born in Benoit, MS, and was raised by grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Sapp, at Cottonwood and later at the Sapp homestead in Issaquena County. She was preceded in death by her childhood sweetheart and husband of 65 years, Marion Heath, and her parents, Dick and Fannie Mae Hancock. She is survived by three children, Ronnie (Amy), Charlotte, and Mike (Pat); four grandchildren, Katie (Drew), Hunter, Mary, and Tyler (Morgan); two great-grandchildren, Jack and (arriving soon) Ella; and also by her sisters, Helen Moore, Barbara (Errol) Bisso, and Sue Pepper.

She was a graduate of Cary High School. As a young woman she worked as a telephone operator in Rolling Fork. After her younger children started school, she worked as the study hall supervisor at Rolling Fork High School. Betty was an avid reader, and she also spent her time tending to her flowers and the vegetable garden alongside her husband. She was a fantastic cook—her potato salad was a favorite among her sisters, children, and grandchildren, all of whom often fought over the last bite.

Betty was an active member of Goodman Memorial United Methodist Church in Cary, Mississippi. Memorial services will be held at the church on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Visitation will be held at 10 am, and the service will start at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sharkey-Issaquena County Library or the American Heart Association.