Bettye Jean Naylor

   Bettye Jean Naylor, 73, of Sioux Falls, SD formerly of Sioux City, IA died Monday, January 29, 2018, at a Sioux Falls hospital.

   Funeral services will be 11 am Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at Mount Zion Baptist Church (1421 Geneva St.) in Sioux City.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will start at 10 am on Tuesday at the church.

   Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

   Bettye Jean Woods was born on March 20, 1944 to the late parents of Willie Woods, Sr. and Bernice Hicks-Woods Hite in Birmingham, AL. As the only daughter she shared her parents with brothers Willie Jr., Henry, Arto and Darryl. 

   At the age of four the family relocated to Chicago, IL. Bettye began her educational foundation at St. Anselms Catholic School James Wadsworth Elementary, and completed her education at Hyde Park High School where she was active in sports and dance programs.

   Bettye always had a discerning spirit. After marring Andrew Herschel Sr,  her motherly instinct knew she should seek a better lot in life for her two children, Andrew and Lawanda. So she packed up and moved to Los Angeles, CA.  Eventually she grew home sick, and decided to move back to Chicago.

   As God’s will would have it, her car physically broke down in Sioux City, IA.  Ultimately, her life changed for the better. She received a warm acceptance of the community and found a home with Mt. Tabernacle Church under Pastor George Naylor, where she was baptized.  Following God’s will, she eventually found a new home with Mt. Zion MB Church under the direction of Pastor & First Lady Floyd E Brown. Bettye was very active in the community and church. She served on the mother’s board, pastor’s aid committee, usher board and choir. She never met a stranger, her laugh was contagious and carried the zeal for life unexplainably. Her loving nature and unselfish spirit gave cause to meet and marry Sonny Naylor.                                       
   Bettye had various occupations throughout her career and subsequently retired from MCI Inc ., as a supervisor. Although retired, Bettye didn’t let grass grow under her feet. She remained active in church and the community and always had a heart for children. She became a licensed foster mother and over the years nurtured a number of children, by giving them a listening ear, a stomach full of food and often a badly needed hug.

   Although her departure from this earth was untimely to us, it was right in God’s plan to allow her in our presence long enough to enjoy her parents, siblings, spouses, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family.

   Although she lived with discomfort, she didn’t complain She fought through the tough times with humor, always finding something funny about whatever life presented her.

   She had the inner drive to live a happy life despite all the evidence that would suggest it would not have been possible.   Bettye embraced the thought of her new home was welcomed to heaven with open arms by Jesus, her parents and ancestors who had the opportunity to witness her earthly existence.

    She leaves  to carry her legacy; Three Brothers: Arto (Syvilla) Woods of Baltimore, MD,  Darryl Hite of Chicago, IL and Bobby Allen of Atlanta, GA ,Two Daughters: Lawanda Richardson of (St. Louis, MO), Latina Kasper (Anthony) of Sioux City, IA,  Three Sons: Andrew Weaver of Sioux Falls, SD,  Tony (Holly) Anthony of Sioux Falls, SD and Damain Johnson  of Sioux City, IA, Twelve Granddaughters: Latrisha Richardson, Ranell (Paul) Manigo  and Alisa Richardson all of St. Louis, Mo, Keyanna Smith, Alidia Smith, Tasia Anthony, Keelyn Anthony, Rocklyn Anthony, Willow J, Jada J, Dayln J and Maleigha J, One Great Granddaughter: Mykia Carter  Two Great Grandsons: Paul  and Jayden, and a plethora of extended family and friends.