Bettye McGehee Jenkins

Published 1:04 pm Monday, June 30, 2025

Sept. 28, 1926 – June 27, 2025

NATCHEZ – Services for Bettye McGehee Jenkins, 98, of Natchez, who died June 27, 2025, at her home, Hawthorne, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Joan W. Gandy officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at the First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Mrs. Jenkins was born on Sept. 28, 1926, in Gloster, MS, the daughter of Carl Alton McGehee and Stella Andrews McGehee. She moved to Natchez with her family in 1937.

She was a graduate of the Natchez Public School and attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN, and Ole Miss. Upon her leaving Ole Miss, she went to work for the California Company (now Chevron) in their district office in Natchez.

She married her husband, Hyde Dunbar “Sonny” Jenkins, on Dec. 20, 1948, and remained married to him until his death in August 2011. Together they formed Vidalia Dock and Storage Company in 1956, which was primarily in the transport of oilfield pipe and tug harbor work on the Mississippi River, and she worked there in various capacities, including President and Secretary, until she sold the business in 2022 and retired at the age of 95.

She was part owner in 11-J Ranch, a farming operation in Concordia Parish, LA, and she and her husband formed 2-J Ranch, Inc. in October of 1978, where she also served in various capacities, including President and Secretary, and that transported and sold agricultural lime and limestone until 2022.

In addition to a lifetime of business accomplishments, Mrs. Jenkins was actively involved in civic and community activities and organizations. She was a lifetime member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, where she served as President for two terms and was Secretary for 30 years, as well as a member of the Board of Directors. She was a founder of the Natchez Antiques Forum. In addition, she opened her house, Hawthorne, to the general public as a part of the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage, greeting tourists at her front door in her hoop skirt for over 30 years.

She was a member of the Garden Club of America, Daughters of the American Revolution, First Families of Mississippi, Ole Miss Alumni Association, Chi Omega Sorority, and a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Natchez. Her businesses were sponsors of the Natchez Balloon Festival and the attending fireworks display. In addition, she was an active sponsor of many charities both locally and nationally. She was the last original member of the Order of the Garter.

She was chosen as Business Woman of the Year by the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce in 2017 at the age of 90, and in recognition of her many accomplishments, she was given the Key to the City by Mayor Dan Gibson in May of 2025 at the age of 98.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Randolph Windsor Pipes, and her brother, William Carl McGehee.

Survivors include one son, Hyde Rust Jenkins II and wife, Lyn; two daughters, Stella Jenkins Carby and her husband, Philip; and Carla Elizabeth Jenkins, all of Natchez; eight grandchildren, Dr. Phillips Jenkins and wife, Laurel of Covington, Dunbar Jenkins and wife, Dr. Anastasia of Oxford, Gaston Carby and wife, Mollie of Baton Rouge, Hyde Carby and wife, Lee of Birmingham, Bettye Jane Roberts and husband, Charlie of Halls, TN, Daniel Wisner and wife, Dr. Elizabeth of New Orleans, Sarah Catherine Calhoun and husband, Zack of Vidalia, Lauren Lucas of Natchez; great-grandchildren, Isabel, Caroline, Juliet, Isla, Philip, Kathryn, Jane, Walker, Stella, Wilkes, Thomas, Jane, Mac, Claire, Catherine and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Gaston Chalk Carby, Dr. Lemuel Phillips Jenkins, Hyde Dunbar Jenkins II, Edgar Hyde Carby, Charles Nelson Roberts, Daniel James Wisner, and Curtis Zackary Calhoun.

The family extends its gratitude and affection to Jo Ann, Vannesa, and Shiela of Specialty Hospice, Angela Latham, Priscilla Jackson, Daisy Ware, Grace Richardson, Monique Simmons, and Dr. Brad LeMay for their inestimable care, comfort, and devotion shown to our mother. And last but not least, our great love to Billy Ray Moore, who, while not by blood, is our brother in spirit.

The family requests that memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.