Betty Cryder

On April 4, 2024, Betty Cryder, age 91, passed away peacefully in Madison, Mississippi and was reunited with her late husband, Clyde Gene Cryder. Betty was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 18, 1933, to Mary Hendrix DeJong and William L. DeJong. She graduated from Canton High School and attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and most importantly, met Gene. Betty and Gene married in Tupelo in 1950, spending the following 64 years by each other’s side. They expanded their family in 1951 with the birth of their son, Dennis. Betty was a member of First Baptist Church Tupelo, volunteering her time in support of the church and community.

In 1961, the family returned to Betty’s childhood hometown of Canton. She attended the First Baptist Church, which was also her childhood church. They eventually settled in Jackson and later Madison, where she joined First Baptist Jackson. She remained an active member of the church for the next 52 years, continuing to live a service-oriented spiritual life and attend church services and events in person into her nineties.

During the 1970’s she purchased The Bath Shoppe in Highland Village. As a co-owner, she put to good use her enjoyment and love of taking care of people to build a successful small business. She often quipped, “Just give me a checkbook and a phone and I can solve any problem.” Through her dedication to church, family, and work, Betty prioritized helping and bringing out the best in those around her.

Betty truly loved and represented the very best of Mississippi, the state she proudly called home for 91 years. She will be remembered for the beauty of her authentic Southern accent, her endless thoughtfulness and grace, and the brilliance of her mind. There was not a date, name, address, or number she couldn’t remember. Her near photographic memory was only outmatched by her memorability. For those fortunate enough to have known Betty – over the course of years or through only one interaction – remember what an unforgettable figure she was for all the right reasons. The indelible memory of Betty Cryder will carry on through her family, friends, and all the lives she touched.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, William L. DeJong of Davidsonville, Maryland, and her sister-in-law, Helen Cryder Wallis of Jackson, Mississippi. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, C. Dennis (Deborah) of Zionsville, Indiana; three grandsons: C. Sterling Cryder (Liza) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; C. Spencer Cryder (Stephanie) of Bogota, Colombia, and C. Stuart Cryder (Jena) of Zionsville, Indiana; seven very special great-grandchildren: Claire Ella Lee, Catherine Spencer, Ruby Rink, Henry Gene, Amelia Cathleen, Evelyn Anne, and Calvin Clyde Cryder; her sister-in-law, Dot Cryder of Tupelo, Mississippi, and numerous other loving and supportive family members. As faith formed the foundation of her life, she considered all her dear friends at First Baptist Jackson as her family.

For their loving support and care, the Cryder family expresses their deepest appreciation to Lily Caldwell, Shannon Brister, Scott and Barbara Gauntt, The Madison Health and Rehab staff, the Covenant Caregivers staff, and Tom Washburn, First Baptist Jackson. Visitation will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Parkway Funeral Home and Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, Mississippi with graveside service at “high noon.”

Memorials may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry, First Baptist Jackson, P.O. Box 250, Jackson, Mississippi 39205