Betty Jean Conway

Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Jean Conway, of Runnelstown, MS, will be conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Runnelstown First Baptist Church with the Reverend Aaron Bolling officiating. Interment will follow in the Runnelstown First Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Conway, age 94, entered the eternal rest of her Lord late Monday evening, November 11, 2024, at the Bedford Care Center in Hattiesburg. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends Thursday, 2 hours prior to the funeral service, beginning at 12 Noon at Runnelstown First Baptist Church.

Mrs. Conway will be carried to her final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers; they include Noah Harrington, Matt Cliburn, Terry Runnels, Paul Sanford, Chris Thornton and Dalton Thornton.

Betty Jean Conway was born on February 14, 1930 in Runnelstown, Mississippi to Shepherd and Thelma McCardle Sanford. A devoted homemaker and a pillar of her community, Betty lived a life rich with dedication and love, shaped by the challenges of her early years during the Great Depression. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and profound appreciation for the simple joys in life.

Throughout her life, Betty remained a constant helpmate beside her husband on their farm. Together they mended fences, worked with cattle, and hauled hay, embodying the spirit of hard work. In addition, she played an integral role in her husband’s ministry as a compassionate and devoted pastor's wife. Betty’s influence was profoundly felt within the church, where she actively worked with the youth and participated in vacation Bible schools, helping to guide and inspire the younger generation. In her younger years, Betty found immense joy working in her yard, nurturing and cultivating a variety of beautiful flowers. Her home became a haven, a place marked by warmth and joy, especially during family gatherings for special occasions.  She took great pride in preparing her table, which overflowed with beloved family favorites, including her famed Banana Pudding and Pecan Pie. Mrs. Conway was a member of Runnelstown First Baptist Church. 

Mrs. Conway is preceded in death by her parents, Shepherd and Thelma Sanford; her husband, Rev. Buddy Conway; brothers, Roy Sanford, Troy Sanford, Mike Sanford and her sister, Maxine Runnels.

Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughters, Diane Conway Hutchins (Joe) of Prentiss and Becky Conway Mayo (Gary) of Brandon. The legacy of their Mawmaw will also live on through her grandchildren, Chris Thornton (Amy), Tiffany Harrington (Hal), Erin Cliburn (Matt), Eric Mayo (Amy) and her great-grandchildren, Dalton Thornton, Noah Harrington, Lydia Harrington, Jordan Thornton, Brody Cliburn, Scarlett Mayo, Mattie Rollins Cliburn, Baker Cliburn and John Mason Mayo.

The family requests that any memorial contributions be directed to First Baptist Church of Runnelstown.

 Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com