Betty H. Wilson

Betty Harris Wilson, 82, of Phenix City, AL passed away Saturday afternoon, April 28, 2018 in the comfort of her home in Phenix City, AL.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held at 10:00 am EDT on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Vance Memorial Chapel in Phenix City with Rev. Bruce Johnson, Rev. Steve Reneau, Chaplain Daniel Mitchell, and Rev. Donald Griffin officiating.  A private interment will follow later Wednesday afternoon at Clay Memorial Cemetery in Cuba, AL.  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm EDT at the funeral home.

Mrs. Wilson was born January 1, 1936 in Sumter County, AL to the late Walter Eugene Harris and Bessie Deas Harris.  Ms. Wilson served as the County Extension Coordinator with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service serving the Russell County / Phenix City area with 43 years of loyal service.  She received her Masters of Education from Auburn University, her B. S. Degree, Vocational Home Economics from Alabama College, and graduated from Sumter County High School in York, AL.  She formally served with the Alabama Gas Corporation both in the Montgomery and Opelika District, and served as a Vocational Home Economics teacher with Valley High School in Fairfax, AL.  Ms. Wilson proudly served and held many leadership positions with many professional associations involving the Alabama Association of Extension Home Economists, National Association of Extension Home Economists, Alabama Home Economics Association, American Home Economics Association, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Kappa Delta Pi, University of Montevallo Alumni Association, Home Economics Alumni Advisory Council, National Association of Female Executives, Auburn University Alumni Association, and the Phenix City/Russell County Chamber of Commerce.  She was a Columnist for the Phenix City Citizen, and the East Alabama Section of the Columbus Ledger.  She served on several local committees in relationship with Russell County Farm City Committee, Leadership Committee for Phenix City/Russell County Chamber of Commerce, and served in several service activities, Phenix City Vocational Advisory Board, Lee-Russell Council of Government Advisory Board, Kiwanis Club of Phenix City, Russell County Cattleman’s Association, Russell County Cancer Society, Russell County Home Health Advisory Committee, Russell County TASK Force for the Elderly, Phenix City/Russell County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Lee/Russell County Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Board, Glenwood Parent Teachers Organization, and St. Patrick’s Teachers Organization.  She was faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church, a member of Trinitarian Sunday School Class, served as Chairman of Trustees, served on the Finance Committee, Chairman of Parsonage Committee, member of the Administrative Board, member of United Methodist Women, and served as Chairman of the Worship Committee.  Betty Wilson was a lady of great character who was passionate with the love of her family, church, and community.  She will truly be missed, but never forgotten.  Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by the father of their daughter, Clyde Brindley Wilson, Jr., and two brothers, Daniel Harris, and Donald Harris, and a brother-in-law, James McCollum.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Brindlea Wilson Griffin and husband Rev. Donald Griffin of Phenix City, AL, sister, Mary Kate McCollum of Birmingham, AL, sister-in-law, Biruta Harris of Edmond, OK; (2) grandchildren, Lena Lemieux Dawkins and husband Hunter, and Christopher Griffin and wife Lisa, (1) precious great granddaughter, Sarah Grace Griffin, nieces and nephews, Eva Harris Huston and husband Mark, Christopher Harris, Amber Harris, and Jem McCollum, cousin, Ann Poe and husband Thomas, numerous other loving family members, church family, and many caring friends.

Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.