“She had a still quiet voice, yet she carried a big stick (holding up his Bible),” said said Rev. John Wicks, pastor of the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church during the recent funeral of Deaconess Linda Faye Stewart Betts. “This was her big stick – the Word,” Wicks told the packed sanctuary of relatives, friends, classmates, associates and others of the Mathiston, Miss. native.
As individuals reflected on how Betts touched their lives, much was revealed about her many accomplishments that most people never knew.
“She was always the smartest person in our class,” said Elmer Davis, her high school class president. He has known her since the fourth-grade. “She was so smart that she would sometimes apologize for it. In a quiet way, she would help others with their work.” Davis and other members of the Webster County Training High School class of Eupora, Miss. stood in honor of their class valedictorian.
Her husband, Deacon Curtis A. Betts, who met his wife at Rust College, Holly Springs, Miss., later confirmed Davis’ comments. “Linda was pretty smart, but she never talked a lot about the things she did,” he said. “She used to tutor incoming freshmen in math when we were at Rust.”
Linda Faye Stewart Betts was born Oct. 29, 1952 to the late Harnes and Estelle Stewart. She departed this life on Aug. 2, 2008. She accepted Christ at an early age and grew up in Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church of Mathiston. She has also served as an active and dedicated member of Crossroad Missionary Baptist Church of Aberdeen, Miss.; Holy Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson; and Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully until her death. Even during her illness she did what she could for her church.
The Rust College honor graduate was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
She and her husband were married on Aug. 19, 1973, and they have three children: Marcus (Sherri) Betts of Brandon, Miss.; Darryl Betts of Jackson, Miss; and Lashanda (Micheal) Jones of Byram, Miss.
She was employed by the State Department of Education for 23 years as an accountant auditor. Colleagues there made the following comments about her:
Letha Gray – “Linda was diligent in her work, when she left I felt it. I called her on many occasions, and she never said no.”
Victoria C Morris – “Linda was a very kind-hearted person and dedicated worker. She was one of a kind and will be truly missed!”
Val Black – “A friend who loved the Lord and treated coworkers like family. She and her husband helped Mt. Ephraim Tabernacle Free Will Church”
Kimberly Ware – “Linda Betts was one of the most giving people I have ever met; she was sweet, humble and a good friend. She always kept a smile on her face, and I am going to really miss her.”
In addition to her husband and children, others left to cherish her memory are two brothers: Harnes Stewart, Jr. of Jackson, Miss.; James (Mary) Stewart of Gulfport, Miss.; two sisters: Margie Williams of Clarkville, Tenn. And Hazel (Hiawatha) Harrison of Columbus, Miss.; eight grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
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