Elizabeth Narcissa "Betty" Whisnant

Betty (Elizabeth Narcissa Willis) Whisnant was born on May 28, 1928, to the late Robert Anderson Willis and Fannie Louise Gilbert Willis in Talbot County, Georgia. She attended elementary and high school at Talbotton and graduated with honors. She enrolled at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, but left after two years to pursue a major in Biology and Chemistry at Georgia State College for Women. After graduating from GSCW, she pursued a career in teaching. She first taught at Douglasville, Georgia, and then at Griffin High School before coming to Harris County (Hamilton) High School in 1952, where she taught Biology, Chemistry, and Physics until she was encouraged to run for Harris County School Superintendent.

She retired from School Superintendent in 1984 to take a position as professor at Augusta State University for ten years. In 1994, she returned to take a position at Columbus State University to direct a special education development program. In 1953, she married Mullins Whisnant, who later became Superior Court Judge serving the six county area. In 1976, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and studied in India for a summer.

She was preceded in death by one son, John Mullins Whisnant. She is survived by one daughter, Rebecca Sue Whisnant Roddenbery (Ed), and three grandchildren: Dr. Andy Roddenbery, MD (Mary) of Columbus; Ruth Roddenbery Mathews (Robert) of Rome, Georgia; and Joseph Landry Whisnant; great-grandchildren: Mary (Mimi) Michael Roddenbery, Seaborn Anderson Roddenbery, VI, George Roddenbery, James Harlan Mathews, Robert Mullins Mathews and Henry Starr Mathews.

Betty was a member of the New Covenant Baptist Church of Pine Mountain, Georgia, a member of the King's Gap Chapter of the DAR, and a member of the Pine Mountain Women's Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909, or your favorite charity.

The funeral service will be conducted in the Chapel of Cox Funeral Home - Hamilton, beginning at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026. The family will receive friends for visitation following the service.

Cox Funeral Home - Hamilton, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.coxfh.com.