Bettye Phillips Singletary, 85, of Irwinville, died Monday, August 19, 2013, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Irwinville Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Cummings and the Rev. Sonny Pate officiating. Jack Youngblood will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Singletary Family Cemetery, Irwinville. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Singletary was born June 21, 1928, in Sale Creek, Tennessee to the late Oliver C. and Stella Lee Phillips. A 1946 graduate of Mystic High School, she lived most of her life in Irwin County. She was a beautician at Ruby’s Beauty Shop and the Beauty Hut as well as in her own home. She was a member of Irwinville Baptist Church and formerly taught the children’s Sunday school. Mrs. Singletary was in the Sewing Circle and she enjoyed quilting, making crafts, and needlework. She served as a volunteer with Blue-Gray Community Hospice spending her time sitting with patients. Always active in helping with the Irwinville Reunion, Mrs. Singletary helped with bake sales and other projects to raise money for the Community Center in Irwinville. Though many will remember Mrs. Bettye’s cooking, especially her fried tarts, she desired to be remembered for much more…and she will be: a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who cared for her community and her neighbors.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years: Carroll Singletary; son and daughter-in-law: Phillip C. & Jane Singletary; daughter: Linda Stark, all of Irwinville; four grandchildren: Stacy (Leigh) Mixon of Irwinville, Cristi (Geoff) Bennett of Waverly, Shae (Kelly) Singletary of Fitzgerald; and Chris Singletary of Douglas; seven great-grandchildren: Cody Mixon, Cole Mixon, Will Mixon, Caralee Bennett, Brodie Singletary, Hayden Singletary, and Shelbi Singletary; as well as two step-brothers: Johnny Hancock and Jerry Hancock, both of Irwinville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Jackie Phillips and Billy Phillips.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Irwinville Community Center, c/o Mildred Benson, 1376 Pinetta Road, Ocilla, GA 31774. The family also wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Blue-Gray Community Hospice for their loving care and attention to Mrs. Singletary.