Jan. 31, 1937 – April 16, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for Betty Sue Pullen, 79, who died Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Natchez, will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Sanders officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Pullen was born Jan. 31, 1937, in Natchez, the daughter of Elmer and Elsie Bearden.

She was a graduate of Washington High School and attended Draughon Business School in Baton Rouge. Her respected career included office manager for Woodlands Research Center (International Paper,) Wittington Construction and Waste Management. She and her husband John Pullen owned and operated Pulley Bones Restaurant in the downtown Natchez depot from 1996 to 2004.

A Christian, Mrs. Pullen was an avid follower and regular contributor to the Fellowship of Christians and Jews. As daughter, wife, mother and then grandmother, she was known as the family’s source of strength, love, life and inspiration. She was the beautiful rock of her family, even though she endured the significant loss of several of her children and fought battles with several critical illnesses. She loved her family, her pets, traveling, having fun and most of all, to laugh. She was the epitome of a “Southern Belle,” and cherished her hometown of Natchez and its rich history.

Mrs. Pullen is preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Robert Owen Williams and David H. Johnson Jr.; and two daughters, Robin Renee Switzer and Ra Anna Pullen Whitehead.

Survivors include her husband of 32 years; four children, Timothy Johnson and wife, Carolyn, and Johanna Pullen, all of Natchez, Margaret Johnson and husband, Lanny, of Readyville, Tenn., and Dana Johnson of Nashville, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren, Alisha Hughes, Ben Dampier, Blake Panek, Harrison Trtischler, Jim Conway, Julia Warshaw, Megan Whitehead, Serina Blackwell, Sky Bell, Skylar McDaniel, Tristin Whitehead and Zach Conway; 12 great-grandchildren, Adley Warshaw, Aidan Hanley, Ansley Conway, Blaze McDaniel, Brantley Conway, Brittany McFarland, Christopher Hughes, Henna Blackwell, Sidney Blackwell, Taylor Hughes, Tyler Blackwell and Zane Blackwell; and a great number of friends.

Mrs. Pellen also leaves her precious pets.

Pallbearers will be Will Alexander III, Woodrow Alexander, Tommy Porter, Spanky Felter Jr., Dennis Hughes and Stephen Felter.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brady Roy Garner, Jerry David and Harold Wittington.

Her family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Thomas B. LeMay, cardiologist, for his constant and thoughtful care and to the intensive care staff at Merit Health Natchez for their kind and loving attention throughout her illness. We would also like to express our appreciation to everyone who conveyed their thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.

For more information, please call John Pullen at 601-870-7716.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.