Betty Sue Waddell McWilliams, 81, of Dunwoody died of complications of stroke on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at Hospice Atlanta with family members present. Her husband is James Lamar McWilliams. Betty was a native Atlantan, born April 21, 1927, the first of three daughters born to parents George. E. Waddell, Jr. and Velma Ray Waddell, both now deceased. She was one of The Greatest Generation who lived through the Great Depression and World War II and the revolutionary changes and inventions since then. She attended Atlanta public schools-Whitefoord Elementary, J. C. Murphy Junior High and Commercial High School in downtown Atlanta. She graduated from Commercial High in class of June, 1946. She has served on annual reunion banquet committee of CHS Alumni Association. She attended night classes at Atlanta Division, Univ. of GA, now GA State University. In her high school Alma Mater there is a line that reads ”And our motto is Perfection In whatever we may do." And that certainly was Betty's motto whether in taking and transcribing notes, writing greeting cards, baking cookies or simple household chores. She was a member of Martha Brown United Methodist Church in East Atlanta for almost fifty years. Before that she was a member of Inman Park and Moreland Avenue Baptist Churches. At Martha Brown UMC she served on several important committees of the Church Council being chairperson at one time of the Staff-Pastor Relations Committee and was a member of United Methodist Women and president of Golden Age Club She was a past president of her Sunday School class, The Alice Walker Class, and was song leader in the class for many years. She loved to sing, especially the old familiar songs in Methodist and Baptist hymnals She also liked show tunes from such movies as “My Fair Lady," “Sound of Music," “Camelot" and others She was employed by Walthour & Hood Company for 40 years as personal secretary and administrative assistant to H. E. Short, Sr. and H. E. Short, Jr., owners of the business. She was a Past Matron of East Atlanta Chapter NO.108, Order of The Eastern Star, now closed. She later affiliated and was a member of Gleaner Chapter No. 347, O.E.S. She was also active in The True Blue Matrons Club while it existed, and she was one year the Grand Representative from Georgia to the Grand Chapter of Louisiana and attended their Grand Chapter meeting. She was known for her sweet bubbly smile and friendliness for everyone. She was a breast cancer survivor since January, 1990 and wore the pink ribbon thankfully and proudly and as hope for others. James has said that the smartest move he ever made was the day he married Betty Waddell and it was also his happiest day he said. They had 42 1/2 wonderful years together and lived in Atlanta, Decatur, Stone Mountain and Dunwoody. She and James have a oceanfront condo at Daytona Beach where they often spent time until last year. She loved the lovely beach and beautiful Atlantic Ocean. There they met many fine people from around the U.S. and Canada, some of whom have become lifelong friends. Her favorite color was pink, her favorite candies York Mint and Butterfinger and her favorite restaurant, Red Lobster. She loved to drive and on some trips to and from Florida she would drive the entire distance although not starting out with that in mind. She also enjoyed driving around the state and Atlanta area with James as navigator. Every Sunday morning they drove to Martha Brown Church from wherever they were living. One of her trademarks was a birthday cake colored red with three candles and music notes which she drew on every envelope used for birthday cards that she and James mailed. Her surviving sisters are Barbara W. Beaty and her husband, Darden of McDonough and Sidney W. Shell and her husband, Carl D. Long, of Decatur. She was very close to James' family and his brothers are Coley McWilliams and his wife, Sandra of Jonesboro, Harold G. McWilliams of Atlanta and R. C. McWilliams, Sr. and his wife Betty Jo, both deceased, and sisters Sarah M. Grainger and Johnnie McWilliams of Atlanta. Aunt Betty was greatly loved and respected by all nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grandnephews on both sides of the family. Her nieces are Paula S. Reeves and husband, Donald of Norcross; Beth B. Linger and husband, Ronny of Columbia, TN and Susan B. Cagle and husband, Jeff of McDonough. Her nephew is Rawson P. Shell, III and his wife, Tammy of Winder. Grandnieces are Laura daCunha and husband, Marcus of Seattle; Regina Shell of Ball Ground; Candice Lovett of Winder and Megan Cagle of McDonough. Grandnephews are Paul Reeves and wife, Erin of Lilburn; Kevin Morris and wife, Carrie of McDonough; Chad Cagle and wife, Morgan of McDonough and Ryan Linger of Columbia, TN. She also has one great grandnephew, Tiago daCunha, James' neice is Robyn M. Cobb and husband, Joe, of Peachtree City and his nephews are Greg Grainger and wife, Sally, of Brentwood, TN; J. Paul McWilliams, Sr. and wife, Cynthia, of Martinez, and R. C. McWilliams, Jr. (Chip) and wife, Kristin of Tyrone Grandnephews are David and Jonathan Grainger of Brentwood, TN.; Daniel Cobb of Peachtree City, David McWilliams of Martinez; R. Carlton McWilliams, III of Tyrone; J. Paul McWilliams, Jr. and wife, Jennifer, of Inman, SC and Joe McWilliams of Douglasville. Grandnieces are Rachel Cobb of Peachtree City and Ellison McWilliams of Tyrone. Betty is also survived by 3 cousins on her mother's side, and 8 cousins on her father's side and several second cousins on both side, all of whom she loved dearly. Funeral services will be at Martha Brown Church on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Jess Walter and the Rev. David Collins officiating and the body will lie in state one-half hour before the service. Interment will be in Acacia Lawn section at Westview, she will be buried with her parents to her left and to her right the grave reserved for James. Visitation will be at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home on Friday 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Martha Brown United Methodist Church, 468 Moreland Ave., S.E., Atlanta, GA 30316 and/or to Hospice Atlanta, 1244 Park Vista Dr., N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319. A.S. Turner & Sons, Decatur, GA
