Ann Betty "Betty" Caruthers Crystal

Betty Ann "Betty" Caruthers Crystal (age 87) passed away peacefully at her home in Ridgeland, MS on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Born on July 5, 1935, in Memphis, TN, Betty was the daughter of the late Ann Taylor and Hulbert A. Caruthers. She grew up and attended school in Sardis, MS. Betty moved to Jackson in 1958 where she met and married the late Gerald P. Crystal in 1959.
In addition to being a housewife and mother, Betty had various interests, mostly involving outdoor activities. During the 1960's, she traveled extensively throughout the country competing in trap and skeet shooting competitions, earning national titles and championships. Betty was also an avid duck hunter and thoroughly enjoyed spending hunting season at her camp near Belzoni. She was a Life Sponsor in Ducks Unlimited and served as the first active woman member in the organization's Sponsor Program. Betty was a Life Member in the National Skeet Shooting Association, American Trap Association, American Rifle Association.
In 1969, Betty survived a near fatal crash in the plane that she was piloting. Injuries sustained in the crash ended her ability to continue shooting competitively. She would go on to utilize her vast experience to serve as an instructor in the Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife Conservation Hunter Safety Education Program. Betty taught shotgun classes to women in the Jackson area as well as coaching teens in Yazoo County who were preparing for team shooting competitions.
Betty moved to Vaughn in 1990 after purchasing a friend's hunting camp. She named the property "Chigger Ridge Farm" where she lived happily for over thirty years. Farm life shifted Betty's priorities to environmental conservation efforts. With the assistance and guidance of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Chigger Ridge was transformed into a tree farm with the planting of 27,000 trees and Betty became a tree farmer, a title she relished. She dearly loved driving her John Deer tractor around the farm and she frequently touted the activity as the best kind of therapy.
Betty was a superior baker and was known for her delicious cakes and baked treats that she regularly made and delivered to family and friends. Betty also enjoyed needlepointing and making different patterned quilts. She was a member of the Lakeside Quilters and served as President of the Jackson Stitchery Guild. Throughout her life, Betty supported a wide variety of organizations, many centered around animal neglect, human suffering, and environmental projects.
Betty will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and friends. She is survived by her children, Paula C. Erlich (Edward), Shannon Crystal (Dr. Robert Haber), and Hulbert "Bucky" Crystal (Holly); her five grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as "BeBe", Devon Cook (Dylan), Remi Erlich, Max Erlich, Jordan Haber, Alec Haber, and great grandchild Huxley "Huck" Cook.
The family would like to sincerely thank Betty's caregivers, Colleen Shepard and Lekeisha Shepard for their immense kindness, compassion, and exceptional care. The family would also like to give special thanks to the wonderful staff at Kindred Hospice for helping Betty through her final days.
Betty was a member of Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson. Per her wishes, there will be a private family ceremony held in Vaughn, MS. Any donations honoring Betty's memory can be made to Beth Israel Congregation 1315 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211 or Cara (Community Animal Reserve and Adoption) P. O. Box 231, Clinton, MS 39060 cara@carams.org
May Betty Rest In Peace, and may her memory be a blessing.
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