Betty Ann Gatling Parker was born at home on December 20, 1931, and grew up in downtown Newport News, Virginia. She was in pain with medical complications and prayed every day for several years to go be with the Lord. Her prayers were answered just 3 months shy of 93 years old. Betty went home to Jesus on Friday, August 30, 2024, while she slept peacefully in her bed.

She was a dedicated mom, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, sister, and also a friend to so many and deeply loved by all. She grew up poor but worked hard to provide for her family and herself. She was tenacious, independent, strong-willed, smart, and possessed the rare gift of true honesty. Betty loved school and was the first class at Newport News High School to graduate after twelve years instead of eleven in 1950. She was very athletic; she was captain of the field hockey team and also played on the basketball team. Sometimes, the sailors let her team practice basketball on the Aircraft Carriers’ flight deck in the shipyard. She was also in the Acapella and Girls’ Choir.

Betty taught her children some of the Spanish songs she learned while taking Spanish in High School. She loved singing silly camp songs to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed hosting and attending family picnics and Christmas parties. Everyone still raves about her mac and cheese, fried chicken, brownies, and pound cakes. She worked 37 years in finance and budget for the Army at Fort Eustis, where she was known for being a friend to all. She stood up for racial equality in her office. Her time working at Fort Eustis brought her many accolades for distinguished service, including a Letter of Commendation from the President of the United States. She retained her knowledge and wisdom of numbers throughout her life.

Betty became a world traveler and also enjoyed visiting New York City and attending Broadway Shows. She loved all things Snoopy, playing cards and Farkle (a dice game), and even playing via Facetime with her daughters and friends across the USA. She had a YouTube playlist on her phone and enjoyed sharing all the “good old songs” with friends and family.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Nannie Curtis and Joseph Paul Gatling; four brothers: Stan, Joe, Bob, and Dicky; three sisters, Shirley, Gloria and Jeannette; and her ex-husband, James (Jay) R. Parker Jr. She is survived by her three children, Debbie (Will), Shelley (Bill), and Jim (Debbie); three grandchildren Chris (Becky), Jennifer (Claude), and Chad (Krystal); seven great-grandchildren Abby, Caroline, Declan, Finley, Liam, Emma and Tillie; her brother, Billy (Toni); and sister, Myrtle (Randy); and several nieces and nephews.

She will be cremated and did not want a funeral. Her children are planning a luncheon to honor her life. In lieu of flowers, Betty’s children request donations be made to the BLACKMAN BAUSI FOUNDATION, her granddaughter and grandson-in-law’s ministry. This is a tax-deductible 501c3 non-profit working in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo war zones to teach forgiveness, critical thinking, and leadership. They do this through biblical discipleship and trauma healing. Please click this link (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E358593&id=1) to make a donation, or send a check to: “The Blackman Bausi Foundation, Inc”. 416 Lanyard Road, Newport News, VA 23602.