Betty Louise Brunner Vining

Betty Louise Brunner Vining, 92 years old, was born in Ponchatoula, LA. "Mrs. Betty", "Aunt Pete", "Mama", "Mawmaw" lived most of her life in Bedico, LA. She was an excellent seamstress, making untold numbers of dresses and outfits through the years. She also made many wedding dresses, formal wear, and Mardi Gras costumes for folks requesting her talent. She never turned anyone down that asked, charging little for her time and talent.

For over 25 years she volunteered at Belle Maison Nursing Home and other surrounding nursing homes in the Ponchatoula/Hammond area with praise and worship services each Wednesday afternoon. She also volunteered calling Bingo on Saturdays, sometimes offering her own money as prizes to those that won "Bingo". All this came to a halt when Covid hit, at which time she crocheted many blankets that were later given to family and friends.

Betty spent much of her time at the Bedico Community Center, helping with various fundraisers and fellowships. She also worked at Vinson Uniforms in Lacombe, LA for 25 years, with the last several years sewing from home for them. She loved her work and loved Jimmy and Kim Vinson, owners.

Betty traveled to Omaha, NE for the College World Series a couple times. She loved LSU baseball and football. She loved cheering on those Tigers. She also loved watching the New Orleans Saints.

Betty never met a stranger. She was loved and cherished by everyone she met. She spent the last 3 years of her life at Belle Maison Nursing home as a resident. She crocheted many a blanket, called Bingo, and worked a lot of puzzle books.

While in hospice care, she passed away on October 5, 2025. She was surrounded by her children as she went to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Emma Nober and William W. Brunner; husband, Frank Louis (F.L.) Vining; 5 sisters, Lucille Minton, Jeanette Stanga, Sybil Bardwell, Francis Gilbert, and Dora Ann Temple; 4 brothers, Tommy "Smokey" Brunner, Albert Brunner, Bill Brunner, and Charles Brunner; son Percy Wayne Bardwell; daughter-in-law, Kathy Bardwell and stepson, Dwayne Vining.

She is survived by her son, Dennis Bardwell and daughters, Gwen Turner (Lynn), Pamela Reyes (Rudy), and Laverne Bardwell (Jim Coats); stepdaughter Lorraine Pankey and stepson Bernard Vining; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Her wishes were always for her remains to be donated to LSU, which has been done. A fellowship of life and memorial will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana in her memory.