Elizabeth "Bettye" Huey Barnes

Bettye was born September 4, 1934, at home in Bessemer (Woodward), AL, to Frank Lacey Huey and Kathleen Boswell Huey. She lived part of her childhood in Auburn, AL, where her father was a professor at the API Engineering School of Auburn University. She developed a life-long love of Auburn and was an avid sports fan until she died. She moved back to Birmingham and graduated with honors from Ensley High School in 1952 and then attended Howard College in 1953 until having and raising her four children. Her children and family were always her greatest love and priority. The family moved to the Shades Mtn./Bluff Park area, where she lived for the remainder of her life. From 1968-70 Bettye furthered her education at UAB and worked in the Alumni office of Samford University from 1974-77.

Betty’s faith in Christ sustained her throughout her life. She loved music, had an angelic voice, and used her gift in church, school, and the community. Throughout her years, she was a member at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Ensley Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Auburn, 85th Street Baptist Church, Central Park Baptist Church, Green Acres Baptist Church, and Shades Crest Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School. She was Youth and Outreach Director for many years. Shades Crest Baptist continued to minister to her and love her well in caring and tangible ways until her death.

She is preceded in death by the father of her children, Walter G. Barnes; her mother, Kathleen Boswell Huey Vaughn; her father, Frank Lacey Huey; and her stepfather, Grinell Vaughn. She is survived by her loving younger brother, David A. Huey (Fran) of Tampa, FL; She is also survived by her four beloved children: Randy and Janice Barnes of Jasper, Greg Barnes of Birmingham, Rhett and Carol (Barnes) Whitley of Birmingham, and Lance and Susan (Barnes) Howerton of Louisville, Kentucky. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Levi Stecker and Katey Barnes, David Barnes, Chris, and Kristen Blom, Ryan and Mandy Lindsey, Jay and Mary Henley, Clint Whitley, Nicolas Balland and Christiana Whitley, Jordan and Katie Howerton, Kyle and Lindsey LeBoeuf, and Todd Hyche; and eight great-granddaughters, four great-grandsons with one on the way, and many beloved nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

During her lifetime, she loved and babysat most of her grandchildren, leaving them great memories of pink iced cookies, Kids Kitchen Mac ‘n cheese, her watching the many “shows” they would do for her, and playing endlessly in her basement. To her children, she left wonderful memories of her beautiful smile and singing voice, her amazing memory, cheering them on at their Berry High School games, her fierce love for Auburn, and watching and listening to the Auburn football games played throughout the house. But mostly, they will always cherish her unwavering, unconditional love and support.

The family will have a graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211, Monday, March 27th at 11:00 am. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Shades Crest Baptist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Barnes family.