BETTY MAE BEDELL WILLIS

Betty Mae Bedell Willis

Betty Mae Bedell Willis, 77, of Bedford, died Sunday, October 24, 2010 at Lynchburg General Hospital. Born in New Jersey on September 14, 1933, a daughter of the late Kenneth Bedell and Elizabeth Van Orden Bedell. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by a son, Roger Willis.

Betty was a member of Mountain View United Methodist Church of Forest where she taught Sunday school. She also was an active member of the United Methodist Woman's Group.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, Henry R. Willis; two children, Cindy Atkinson and her husband, Steve of Forest and Scott Willis and his wife, JoAnn of Bedford; seven grandchildren, Adelina Atkinson, Andrew Atkinson, Aaron Atkinson, Zachary Willis, Rachel Willis, Jacob Willis and Matthew Willis; one sister, Shirley Della Penna and her husband, Lou of Kingston Springs, Tennessee; a special nephew, David Wright of Florida and his three children; also several nieces; and two special friends, Joe and Barbara Heins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Andrew, 3383 Sweet Hollow Rd., Big Island, VA 24526.

A celebration of Betty's life will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Thursday, October 28, 2010 at Mountain View United Methodist Church, Forest with the Rev. Steven L. Propst officiating. Burial will follow in Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery, Concord. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford. To send condolences online, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 540-586-3443.