Elizabeth "Betty" Willingham

Elizabeth (Betty) Willingham, Born on July 8, 1924, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Gundlach Willingham was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida. She passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family on August 25, 2018. She was 94 years young.

Betty graduated from Jackson H.S. where she excelled in academics, athletics and played saxophone in the marching band. It was in high school when she met her future husband, Ozzie. They were married on November 29, 1942.

After WW II, she worked at the University of Florida while she and Ozzie attended the university. Betty worked for many years as a bookkeeper and tax consultant. She was a life-long member of Epperson Memorial Methodist Church and, among other local organizations, was a long-time member of the Jacksonville Garden Club. Betty was active in the PTA and was a den mother for the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the Camp Fire Girls.

Her passion was her family and friends. She cared deeply for her children and grandchildren and provided a lifetime of love, care, support, and guidance. To be loved by Betty was to be wonderfully blessed. She made friends for life. She was very creative and had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious laugh.

As everyone who met her would comment that she epitomized the grace, beauty, and elegance of a Southern Lady and never spoke a harsh word or ill of anyone. Among her many wise sayings was to remind her children not to form an opinion “unless you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Betty always took the time to listen and very rarely ever offered unsolicited advice. She will be forever loved and missed dearly by all who knew her.

Betty loved flowers, nature, music, and University of Florida football. She tended her flowers and garden as long as she could and continued to enjoy the plants and flowers on her deck and backyard for the remainder of her life. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing with her children. She was a lover of dogs beginning at three years old when she went on neighborhood adventures with her cocker spaniel, Paddy.

She also loved Christmas. Her home displayed her Santa collection well into spring, one of so many endearing traits, which always brought a smile to her visitors.

Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Ozzie. She was also preceded by her parents; William (Sr.) and Mary Gundlach, her dear son Kent, her dear daughter-in-law Sonnie, her lovely sister-in-law Juanita, her sister-in-law Caroline, and her nephew Dennis.

Betty is survived by her brother William Gundlach (Ft. Lauderdale), her son Mark [Marjorie] (Jacksonville), her daughter Tory (Jacksonville), grandchildren Matthew [Natalie] (Orlando), Amanda (Fairbanks), Lee (Jacksonville) and Stephanie (Jacksonville), her great-grandson Sammy (Orlando), and an extended family of nephews, great nephews, and great nieces.

Betty was blessed with love and care from Dot, Myhurly, and Brenda during the last years of her life and she was further blessed with the extraordinary love, devotion, and care from her daughter Tory, who chose to live with her to allow her to remain in her home throughout the final years of her life.