Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., September 7, 2020, at Lakewood on Clinton Blvd. with the service following at 2:00. Masks and social distancing will be observed.
Bettye was born on September 22, 1928, in Jackson, MS to Norman Ivan Presson and Laura Brown Presson. She attended Forest Hill High School where she met Charles Elliott Bingham, Sr., the love of her life.
Shortly before her marriage to Charles, she began working for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. When co-workers realized that Bettye was a talented artist, she was asked to design conference posters, programs, logos, etc. to support different department ministries.
She went back to school after raising her family and completed a degree in Art Education from Belhaven and Mississippi College. Bettye continued to work as a ministry assistant and retired after 30 years at the MBCB.
Bettye was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. Her talents went beyond drawing to any kind of artwork. She loved to sew, quilt, draw, paint, remake dolls and create stained glass windows - even a baptistry window. Her hands were never idle.
In 2007, she lost Charles to cancer, but never wavered in her faith and trust in the Lord. For the last ten years, dementia had begun to rob her of memory but her essence could still be seen and remains today.
We see her homemaking and hospitality in her daughters’ decorating and attention to detail on holidays. We see her when Laura teaches art to children. We see her fierce determination in Melany and her creativity in Chuck. Most importantly, we see the deep and abiding faith passed down to her 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Survivors include children: Laura Prevost and husband David, Melany Fortenberry and husband Shane, Chuck Bingham and wife Pam Kinsley Bingham. Grandchildren: Mandy Martin, Chance Fortenberry, Anna Whittington, Chad Fortenberry, Aimee Sanford, Chatelaine Macks, Elliott Bingham III, Caitlin Childs, Jesse Dear, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Even though Bettye is no longer with us in body, the legacy she and Charles left will continue to touch lives for generations to come.
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