Betty was born May 26, 1935 to the union of Floyd and Ila Mae (Vick) Baker in Jasper, Alabama where she grew up. She graduated from Walker County High School in Jasper and then attended Walker College, also in Jasper.
Betty began working in Birmingham and while there met the love of her life, Walter Fuller Southwick who was a soldier with the United States Army. They were married on May 5, 1955 in Jasper. They shared over 46 years of marriage together and were blessed with five children: Mona Louise, William “James”, Regina Marie, Sarah Anne and Lewis Duncan.
Due to Walter being a military man, Betty and the family moved wherever he was stationed and ended up in Fort Leonard Wood the first time in 1959. After being moved to several different locations, the family finally settled in St. Robert in 1967 when Walter retired from the military and they raised their children in the St. Robert area.
Besides raising her family, Betty enjoyed sewing, quilting and doing other crafts. She was very talented with these things and made beautiful items for her family and friends.
At an early age, Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was a member of the Maranatha Baptist Church in St. Robert where she attended faithfully until her health began failing. She also volunteered at ACS, the Senior Center and the Life Care Center.
Betty will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by her five children: Mona Ison of Riverdale, Utah, William James Southwick (Sharon) of St. Louis, Regina Nellum, Sarah Campo (Paul) of the state of Florida and Lewis Southwick of Houston, Texas; two brothers: Frank Baker (Sharon) of Jasper, Alabama and John Baker (Sue) of St. Robert; 12 grandchildren: Kalem, Jeremy, Kendra, Isaac, Lance, Sharna, LeEssense, Karis, Brittany, Morgan, Jimmy and Johanna; 9 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband on January 12, 2002.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 25, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert with Rev. Keith Carnahan officiating. Betty’s son, James read the obituary and the songs “Amazing Grace” and “In the Garden” were played. Serving as escorts were Jimmy Childers, Isaac Southwick, Lance Southwick, Lewis Southwick, Scott Taylor and Jeremy Ison. Serving as honorary escorts were John Baker, Brandon Ison, Kalem Ison, Austin Ison, Preston Ison, Jeremiah Ison, Russell Seeley and Rusty Seeley.
Burial followed in the Hooker Cemetery of Devils Elbow, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert.
May 26th, 1935 - November 19th, 2009
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