Betty Jean Gary

Betty Jean Bowie was born on October 14,1945 to Sylvia Mays Fisher and Charles Bowie, and departed this earth on September 19, 2021.

The 4th of seven children, Betty was a quiet child who loved being by her mother’s side. She graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1963. In 1968, Betty met her future husband and life partner Olevia Gary, and together they raised three children: Lawrence, Lisa, and Andrew. Though she worked for a short time at Stouffer’s Restaurant and Inn, what she loved most was being a homemaker. Betty loved hosting parties as a young woman, traveling down south to visit relatives, baking desserts, and providing childcare for extended family and close friends. Memories of her from family include:

“Me and my mommy loved hanging out together on the weekends, whether it was going to Watkins Park on Sunday evenings to see blues performers, playing the slot machines at the casino, or eating a soul food dinner of chicken and dressing on Sundays.”-Lisa Wiggins, daughter.

“As a child I loved laying on her bed and listening to her tell me stories about her childhood, her parents, and her life as a young woman. I’m so thankful for the family history she passed down to me, and the precious time we spent together.”-Tasasha Henderson, granddaughter.

“Every so often I would go into her bedroom closet and pull out all the photo albums she had stored in totes. We would sit on her bed and spend hours smiling, laughing and talking about all the memories in the photos.”-Ty”Shonae Hamilton, granddaughter.

Betty is survived by two children: Lawrence Lewis and Lisa Wiggins, three grandchildren: Tasasha Henderson, Ty’Shonae Hamilton, and NaTeisha Lewis; two great-grandchildren: Kai Jones and Honnor Knighten; and three siblings: Robert Jones, Theresa Fisher, and Jerry Fisher; and a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Olevia Gary, son Andrew Wiggins, parents Sylvia Mays Fisher and Charles Bowie, brothers Earl Bowie and Calvin Bowie, and sister Joanne Bowie.