Betty Montgomery

1948 - 2013

Betty Montgomery

Tupelo

On September 4, 1948, Elizabeth "Betty" Luckett McGowan Montgomery was born to Dibbus and Pat McGowan in Mendenhall, Mississippi. Following a childhood spent riding her bike to the library, Betty matriculated at the Mississippi University for Women, where she continued her love of books as an English major. After completing her Master's Degree, she married the love of her life and best friend, Charles "Chaz" Weinacker Montgomery and shared her love of American literature with students--both in Mississippi's public schools and Itawamba Community College (ICC)--for more than 30 years.

Over the years, Betty constantly strove to enrich herself: she earned a PhD in English from the University of Mississippi, facilitated Tupelo's Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension (LIMEX) Program, and became a certified Master Gardener. She also enriched others: she served as a former president of the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children, advisory board president for the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, and a member of the Leadership Mississippi program. As a teacher for the "Senior College" at ICC, Mississippi Humanities College, and Loyola University New Orleans Alumni College, Betty continued to share her love of Southern authors, particularly Flannery O'Connor.

When asked to describe her grandmother, "Bee," Ann Luckett responded, "She is real fancy. She works all the time. She loves bees and peacocks. And she loves picking up sticks." Betty loved to travel, recently returning from a trip to Spain following the life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola; her family often joked that she would accept a ticket to nowhere, if offered. Betty often combined her love of travel with her other true love--shopping--and has haggled with street vendors in Europe, Asia, and South America. Although Tupelo was her home, Orange Beach, Alabama, held a special place in Betty's heart; she was a regular at Doc's Seafood Shack, the Flora-Bama, and, of course, the Outlets.

Betty is survived by her large, close, and loving family: her husband, Chaz; daughters Meadie Katherine "Katy" Montgomery and Ann Elizabeth Montgomery; son Charles Weinacker Montgomery, Jr. (Laura) and his children Ann Luckett and Cal; son George "Patrick" Montgomery (Colleen Coveney); and her mother, Mary Elizabeth "Dibbus" Luckett McGowan, four siblings, and many nieces and nephews. She also had two dogs--Oliver and Andalusia--whom she adored.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Today at the St. James Catholic Church in Tupelo with Father Lincoln Dall officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-service time today at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension. Checks can be mailed to: St. James Catholic Church, Attention: LIMEX, P.O. Box 734 Tupelo, MS 38802. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net