Bettye Garner McPhail

Graveside services for Mrs. Bettye Garner McPhail will be conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the New Bunker Hill Cemetery in Columbia with the Reverend Brian Stewart officiating.  Mrs. McPhail, age 90, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord Tuesday morning, August 20, 2024, at the Senatobia Health and Rehabilitation Center in Senatobia, MS.  Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, August 25, from 1:30 PM until 2:30 PM at Saulters Moore Funeral Home with the funeral procession departing immediately after the visitation.

Mrs. McPhail will be carried to her final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers; they include Steve Crawley, Ryan McPhail, Greene Sayle, Nathan Jenkins, Zack Dickerson and Jimmy McPhail.

Bettye Garner McPhail was born on November 5, 1933 at her home in Marion County to Dillon and Daisy Ruth Garner.  She had an older brother, Glen, whom she adored and looked up to.  She always remembered the values of frugality and hard work growing up during the depression years.  Her years of 4-H gave her many fond memories as she would recount her competitions and experiences she had in her 4-H activities.  She graduated from Bunker Hill High School as valedictorian.  She married Willard Odelle McPhail from Prentiss in 1951 while he was serving in the Navy during the Korean War.  Bettye graduated from Pearl River Junior College with an accelerated business degree.  Later on, she also took courses offered from USM and Hinds Junior College for interest and fun.

Bettye and Willard moved to Jackson, MS in late 1952, where Bettye worked at Southern Bell Telephone Company until her only child, Ricky, was born in 1954.  During her years as a wife and stay at home mom, she was very active in church activities, Sunday School, VBS and her son's school PTA.  In 1964, Bettye became school crossing guard for Jackson Police Department.  She later advanced as a clerk and then as an administrative assistant to the Chief in the Jackson Police Department.

In 1978, Bettye became the Director of Information and Referral for the City of Jackson Aging Services where she headed and organized several senior programs for the city.  She retired early after 27 years to stay home and take care of her husband who had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  Three years after her husband's death, Bettye moved up to Desoto County to live with her only son and his family so she could enjoy being close to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bettye is preceded in death by her parents, Dillon and Daisy Ruth Garner, her brother, Glen Eldridge Garner, and her husband Willard Odelle McPhail.  She is survived by her son Ricky Lane McPhail (Theresa); 3 grandchildren, Lauryn Ashley Sayle (Greene), Kaylan Alecia Dickerson (Zack) and Ryan Anthony McPhail (Amanda); nine great-grandchildren, Nathan and Macy Jenkins, Emma and Daniel Sayle, Aubrey and Blake Dickerson and Grayson, Ellie and Anna McPhail - all of Desoto County; three nieces, Karen Delaney, Terry Crawley (Steve) and Patsy Brewton.

The family would like to thank those who have come alongside them in this last year to help Bettye have a safe, enjoyable and meaningful life; Desiree Macip, Rose and the Senatobia Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

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