Betty Jean Crenshaw

Betty Beckham Crenshaw of Brandon, MS went to be with the Lord on February 12th, 2025. 

 Betty was a native of Philadelphia, MS, where she was an honor graduate of Philadelphia High School and held a degree in General Studies from Mississippi College. She retired from state government after 23 years, having worked as an Administrative/Research Assistant for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. After retiring she was active in community work serving as a member of the River Oaks Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary and was also a volunteer for the Rankin Program for Adult Literacy.

 Betty's life was dedicated to working in churches and in voluntary missionary service. Her Christian service began as a teenager teaching Vacation Bible School in a mission church in Philadelphia MS. She was appointed as a member of the North America Mission Board Volunteer Service Corps of the Southern Baptist Convention working in various areas. Those included Bible schools in the US Northwest, Ridgecrest Conference Center, and other areas. She also served as a volunteer missionary on international projects. For over 60 years she worked alongside her pastor husband, Wayne Crenshaw, in churches in 5 states.

 After their retirement she was a member of Park Place Baptist Church, serving there as an Adult Bible Teacher, and as President of the Keenagers. She enjoyed working for the Lord in any capacity needed. Since 2004 she has been a member of Brandon Baptist Church where she has served as Ladies Adult Bible teacher. 

 She loved being a mother to her three children, grandmother to seven, and great-grandmother of eleven. For those lived away she enjoyed staying connected through letters, cards, phone calls, emails, and messaging. 

 She is survived by three children; daughter, Cristie Crenshaw Rabalais (Leon) of Brandon; sons, Randall Wayne Crenshaw (Barbara) of Colleyville, TX; and John Mark Crenshaw (Katie) of York, PA. Seven grandchildren; Dr. Nancy Rabalais DeTrana (fiancé, Dewayne Searcy) of Knoxville, TN; Jamie Mitchell (Philip) of Montgomery, AL; Anna Crenshaw of DeSoto,TX; Casey Dodd (Justin) of Southlake, TX; Walker Crenshaw of York, PA and Kathryn Hahn (Nik) of York, PA; and eleven great-grandchildren; Duncan and Jazlyn Powell of DeSoto, TX; Elizabeth and Eleanor Detrana of Knoxville, TN; Erin and Patton Mitchell of Montgomery, AL; and Banks, Arlie Ann, Tripp, Whitten and Wylie Ruth Dodd of Southlake, TX

 She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Rev. Wayne Crenshaw, and Grandson, Michael Crenshaw, her mother and father, Eleanor and Robert Beckham, Philadelphia. MS; four sisters; Beverly Ward, Mary Sistrunk, Shirley Pou and Linda Townsend and one brother, John Robert Beckham. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her family and friends. 

 Donations in her memory may be made to the Crenshaw Family Scholarship Fund at Mississippi College, Clinton, MS.  www.Go.MC.EDU (then select GIVE / Christian studies & the arts, Christian studies & Philosophy Fund / In memory of) 

 Funeral service will be 10am Monday, February 17th, at Brandon Baptist Church with visitation starting at 9am and graveside service in Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery, Pelahatchie, MS.