Betty was the wife of 42 years of the late Melvin Cary Pitts. She is the daughter of the late Fred Eldon Wilbanks and the late Ina Monteree Holden Wilbanks. She was preceded in death by brothers: Marion Tilmon Wilbanks and Newton Jasper (“NJ”) Wilbanks; and by sisters: Freddie Blanche Hamrick and Linda Burch. She is survived by her daughters: Connie Greene Rushing (Geoff) and Debbie Greene House; along with her grandchildren: Michal Moss (James), Josh Kardos (Darien), Jordan Rushing (Ashley) and Andy Rushing (Corey). She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Sophia and Chloe Moss, Joelle, Maggie and Samuel Kardos, and Kellan and Max Rushing. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Lucy Wilbanks West; along with many nieces and nephews.
Betty graduated from Canton High School in 1951 and from West Georgia College in 1953. She worked for many years for D.D. Saye, developer of Beechwood Shopping Center in Athens. Betty and Melvin opened Shop Rite Foods in 1988, a small “mom and pop” grocery store, and operated it until their retirement. She was a long-time member of Forest Heights Baptist Church where she served as bookkeeper and was a member of the Hand Bell Choir. She was an avid bridge player and played in the same bridge club for over 50 years. She deeply loved her family and freely gave of her time and resources whenever needed, no matter how large or small the need.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., at Bernstein Funeral Home with Pastor Geoff Rushing officiating. The entombment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., prior to the funeral, at Bernstein Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Josh Kardos, Jordan Rushing, Andy Rushing, James Moss, Cass Burch and Eric Burch. Junior pallbearers will be Samuel Kardos and Max Rushing.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
