Betty Jean Sanford

Betty Jean Sanford went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 7. She passed away at Bedford Care Center of Petal after a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 9 at 2:00 pm at Memory Chapel in Laurel. Burial will be in Fellowship Cemetery in Taylorsville. Brothers Shane Singleton and Leon Carmical will officiate the services. Ms. Betty was born October 7, 1930, to Monroe and Lessie Dickerson in Sylvarena, MS. She married James Udell Sanford on July 17, 1947. They moved to Laurel where they worked and raised their children. Ms. Betty worked at Piggly Wiggly for over 20 years and was loved by all her customers and coworkers. Ms. Betty was a loyal member of Parkview Baptist Church for over 45 years where she had many friends which she considered family. She was a faithful Christian servant of the Lord and loved to tell others of her faith. She loved to take care of all those around her. Ms. Betty is remembered by all those who loved her as a vivacious lady who never met a stranger. She loved working in her yard, riding around Southern Mississippi with her friend Walter, and laughing and talking with her friends and family. Ms. Betty was an excellent cook and was always proud of the vegetables she put away at the end of each summer. She was the life of the party and never met a stranger. She was proud to be from Laurel, and was a true southern lady. Ms. Betty loved more than anything her three children. The walls in her home were covered from ceiling to floor with pictures of her children. She was so proud of their accomplishments and loved to tell people about them. Ms. Betty was known as Granny to her six grandchildren. They will forever be reminded of her energetic spirit by the memories they will cherish from their time with her. Ms. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James Udell Sanford, her parents, Monroe and Lessie Dickerson, four brothers, James Dickerson, Gerald Dickerson, Delton Dickerson, and Elijah Dickerson, two sisters, Onita Mitchell and Annie Dean Montgomery, and her granddaughter, Lori Lantz Mushovic. She will be remembered by her three children, Peggy Lantz and husband Ron Brock of Diamond Head, MS, Bobby Sanford and wife Regina of Carriere, MS, and Patty Taylor and husband Billy, of Andrews, Texas; her 5 grandchildren, Michelle Bowers and husband Matt, Cheri Lantz and husband Michael, Michael Lantz and wife Suzie, Randi Willard and husband Travis, and Rusty Taylor and wife Holly. Ms. Betty leaves behind 6 great-grandsons and 3 great-granddaughters. She is also survived by a special friend, Mr. Walter Hitt, and many other friends whom she loved dearly. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at Memory Chapel which is in charge of the arrangements. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Betty Jean Sanford

October 7, 1930 - April 7, 2015