Betty Jean Murray

Betty Jean Pelham Murray was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Betty Jean passed away on January 12, 2024, at the age of 86, in the presence of her two daughters, who will continue to keep her memory alive by living life to its fullest. She was a wonderful mother and had many many friends and spread love and joy wherever she went. Betty Jean was born August 6, 1937, in Washington, DC, the daughter of Douglas and Inez Pelham. She had three daughters, Carolyn Williams, Margaret “Cookie” Southern and Nikki Redfearn. She was the 10th child of 11 siblings. She will be forever remembered by her baby sister, Marie Leadbetter. Betty Jean was raised in a segregated community in Arlington, Virginia called Halls Hill where she attended Arlington County schools. She worked as a Health Care Laundry Aide at Virginia Hospital Center, formally known as Arlington Hospital until retirement. She was baptized and gave her life to Christ at an early age and was a devoted member of Mount Salvation Baptist Church. There, she was a member of the Usher board and enjoyed the duties of an usher, and especially marching into the church. On any given day, you could find her sitting in her favorite chair, either watching her stories Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful & General Hospital, Gunsmoke or Walker Texas Ranger, or Walker as she called it. Judge Judy tickled her, and she enjoyed all the drama on reality TV. Betty had a passion for home décor, and it was not unusual for her to switch up the décor, just because. Every room in her house was beautifully decorated and she took pride in her work. She loved fashion and her pocketbooks. And she loved a good purse swap with family and friends. She married John Murray (deceased) and moved to Providence Forge, VA in 1994. She became a member of Mt. Calvary Church International where she joined the Usher Board. As a member of Mt. Calvary, Betty gained a whole new family in Providence Forge. She cherished the friendships and bonds that she had made and loved her new sisterhood. She was preceded in death by her daughter Carolyn Williams (Larry), and grandson Courtney Southern, sisters Helen Law, Dorothy Harrod, Mary Snead, Rose Strother and Eleanor Lewis, brothers Lawrence, Charles, James and John Pelham. Betty leaves to cherish her memories, daughters Margaret Southern (Cornell, deceased), Nikki Redfearn (Derrek); grandchildren Javiar Pelham (Teasha), Chanel Southern (Chris), Kelia Williams, Joniah Drayton and Dylan Reese; great grandchildren Chardnay Southern, Cai Southern, and Brooklyn Richardson; and great great grandson Caisyn Cox, sister Marie Leadbetter and host of other nieces and nephews. She will be forever loved by William, and deeply missed by her crew Valerie Otey, Thelma Johnson, Doris Roberts and Winston-Hall; her riding partner, sister-in-law Berdine Murray and relatives and special friends. A funeral service will be held 11AM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Mount Calvary Church International, 5200 Mountcastle Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services.

Betty Jean Murray

August 6, 1937 - January 12, 2024