Bettye Jane Marchbanks

Feb. 05, 1930 – Feb. 09, 2020

Natchez – A memorial service for Mrs. Bettye Jane Marchbanks, 90, who died on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 will be held at First Baptist Church Natchez on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m.

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

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Bettye Jane was born on Feb. 5, 1930 in Memphis, to Hugh and Della Wiley. Her family moved to Greenville when she was young. She graduated from Greenville High School and later attended Mississippi University for Women. After marrying, she and her husband, John, moved to Natchez where they raised their family. Bettye Jane was a member of the Natchez Garden Club and enjoyed greeting guests at Fair Oaks Antebellum home during pilgrimage. Over the years she received many notes from tourists thanking her for her hospitality and how she impressed them as being the perfect model of a true Southern Belle.  Bettye Jane’s favorite events were spending time with her family, dancing, and traveling with her husband in their motor home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John of 58 years; sister and brother-in-law Mary and Joe Hart and sister-in-law Jeri Marchbanks.

Bettye Jane is also survived by her two sons: Paul Marchbanks and wife, Sara, David Marchbanks and wife, Loyce; one daughter Lynn Marchbanks. She loved being referred to as Gram by her seven grandchildren, Ryan Marchbanks and wife, Amy, Lori Beth Struble and husband, Tim, Jessica Lieux and husband, Brandt, Meghan Bush and husband, Steven, Matthew Marchbanks, Brett Rivers and wife, Liz, and Blaine Rivers. Her grandchildren blessed her with eight great-grandchildren.  Additional survivors include her sister Janice Koenig, two brothers-in-law Charles Marchbanks and wife, Dorothy and Rex Marchbanks and wife, Georgia as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Marchbanks, Matthew Marchbanks, Brett Rivers, Blaine Rivers, Tim Struble, Steven Bush, Brandt Lieux, and Jay Rivers.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Natchez, Wounded Warriors, or St. Jude’s Hospital.

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