Betty Joyce Tankersley Walters, 85, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Friday, May 29, 2015, at Ocilla Baptist Church with the Rev. Rob Dowdle and the Rev. Robert Couey officiating. Interment will follow in Ocilla Cemetery. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 2 until 3:30 in the sanctuary of Ocilla Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Jason Womack, Wes Walters, Justin Womack, Jake Walters, John Womack, Todd Damato, Blake Thompson, Jim Black, and Cliff Tankersley. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters: Wyndi Damato, Kippy Thompson, Mandy Black, Lyndsey Walters, Natalee Walters, and Abbee Walters; her caregivers: Mary Jane Smith, Candy Blankenship, Lindsey Morgan, and Frances Branch; as well as members of the Martha Sunday school class and Mrs. Walters’ card playing friends.
Mrs. Walters was born August 2, 1929, in Ocilla, Georgia, to the late Troy Cleon & Ora Dorminey Tankersley. She lived in Ocilla all of her life and was a 1946 graduate of Ocilla High School. Mrs. Walters was a homemaker and also worked for the ASCS office from 1950 to 1960. She formerly served as secretary and treasurer of Irwin County Motors. Mrs. Walters was affectionately known as “BJ” to her friends and “BeBe” by her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed her time of fellowship with the LadyBugs as well as playing bridge, golf, and traveling. Mrs. Walters was an active member of the Ocilla Baptist Church where she was a member and President of the Martha Sunday school class and sang in the choir. She served as co-chairman of the church’s Bereavement Committee and as chairman of the Ocilla Cemetery for many years. She was very instrumental in the many improvements having been made to the area.
She is survived by her son and his wife: Wyndall & Rhonda Walters of Ocilla; a daughter and her husband: Lavonda & Roger Womack of Tifton; grandchildren and their spouses: Wyndi & Todd Damato, Kippy & Blake Thompson, Mandy & Jim Black, Jason & Erin Womack, Wes & Bridget Walters, Justin & Meghan Womack, Jake & Kristy Walters, Lyndsey Walters, John & Meredith Womack, Natalee Walters, and Abbee Walters; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother: Cleon Tankersley of Ocilla; a dear cousin, Barbara Zoe & Waldo Hitt of McComb, Mississippi; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lorie Vinson Walters; a son, Wesley Troy Walters and a sister-in-law, Carolyn W. Tankersley.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Ocilla Baptist Church, P. O. Box 101, Ocilla, Georgia, 31774 or the Ocilla Cemetery Trust Fund, % Anniece Lee, 601 S. Irwin Ave., Ocilla, Georgia, 31774.