Betty May Embry

She is survived by her children, Joel Embry (Ginny Myrick) of Jacksonville, Paul Embry of Fernandina Beach, Vicki Embry of County Wexford, Ireland, and Abigail Embry of Vidalia, GA, as well as 4 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Edwin, as well as her grandson, Joel, Jr.

Betty and Edwin grew up together in the same neighborhood of their hometown of Quincy, FL, but didn’t make that spark until exchanging letters while Ed was overseas in the Pacific as a Marine in WWII. After Ed finished his enlistment in late 1945, they were married at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Quincy, July 31, 1946. Together and as a team, they raised a boisterous, happy family of Baby Boomers. Once the children were all good and raised, Betty and Ed took early retirement and moved to Walton County, FL on the Gulf of Mexico. There, they enjoyed Jeep rides, beach walking, working puzzles - crossword and jigsaw – following the changing tides, and continued fellowship with friends. Betty and Ed celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary just 36 days before his sudden passing in 2005.

In recent years, Betty was what she called a Facebook “lurker”, enjoyed her knitting club, was a voracious reader and book club member, successfully figured out both Netflix and Amazon shopping on her own, and was a devoted Seminole fan. She attended Florida State College for Women, now FSU, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi.

In both Quincy and her beach community, Betty was active in her churches. From 50 years singing soprano in St. Paul’s choir, to completing a program of Theological Education, by extension, in Education for Ministry from The University of the South (Sewanee) School of Theology, to EYC dance planning, Daughters of the King, Cursillo Movement, altar guild, hand needlepointing kneelers for St.Paul’s as well as cushions for Trinity Church, Wall Street, Betty was a good and faithful servant at each of St. Paul’s and St.Thomas by-the-Sea, Laguna Beach.

Just two weeks shy of her 97th birthday, Betty lived a full and healthy life, eyes and mind sharp, with only her tired body giving up on her. As condolences have come in, more often than not, phrases repeat like, “Betty told it like it was”, “a real spitfire”, “always a smile” (well, her “kids” would beg to differ on that one…), “our families share so many overlapping ties and memories”, and best of all, many shared remembrances of laughter and fun.

Due to COVID concerns, the family will announce memorial services at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that gifts may be made in Betty’s memory to St Thomas Episcopal, PO Box 9870, Panama City Beach, FL 32417, or to St. Paul’s Episcopal, 10 W King St., Quincy, FL 32351.

Arrangements are under the direction HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, Jacksonville Beach, FL.