Vilenah Elizabeth Medlock Wiggins ("Bettye") died Friday, May 14, 2010 at her home in Clairmont Oaks in Decatur after a brief illness. She was 93. A 4th generation Atlantan, Bettye Wiggins was a great-granddaughter of Atlanta pioneers John and Amanda Wilson, and John and Sarah Medlock. Bettye was born on January 30, 1917 and saw much growth and many changes during her lifetime in the Atlanta area. Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, James Wade and Myrtice Wilson Medlock; siblings Gladys Medlock Payne, Sarah Medlock Blackburn, Ida Susan Medlock Lindorme, James Wade Medlock, Wilson Parks Medlock and Robert Theodore Medlock; first husband J.T. McDonald and second husband Walter Wiggins, who was a 30 year employee at Ford Motor; son J.T. Brand McDonald; and beloved friend William "Jabe" Bishop. She is survived by brother Thomas Wesley Medlock of Atlanta, sisters-in-law Dorothy Eastman Medlock and Hazel Jones Medlock, daughter Sue McDonald Thompson of Conyers, grandchildren Beth Withers and Bobby Thompson and great-grandchildren Andy Withers, Erik Withers and Shanacey Westmoreland. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly including Doris Sebastian, Ben Blackburn, Jane Disbrow, Nancy Bracewell, Ed Lindorme, Wade Lindorme, Wade Medlock, Ted Medlock, David Medlock, Margaret Bailey, Mike Medlock, Gayle Merlino, Tommie Lynn Nichols and Dianne Joy. Bettye, a graduate of Commercial High School in Atlanta, rose to prominence in the Atlanta insurance industry. She also worked at Emory University for several years. Until Bettye moved back to Decatur, she was a long time member of the Joy Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church of Snellville. She used her gregarious personality with the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games as an official greeter during the events. She was one of the oldest Olympic volunteers, if not the oldest. Always happy to welcome friends and family, she also hosted many Medlock family reunions. She loved and appreciated her family, friends, children and flowers. Bettye was the most "Bettye" when she had her hair the blondest, her clothes the brightest colors and wearing the most jewelry (which she tended to leave everywhere she went). If a friend was looking for someone to take a trip or take in a movie, she was always ready with a "let’s go." Comments from her friends and family included: "She was such a fashionista! I loved her! I remember her walking down the aisle at our wedding and waving to everyone, like a celebrity."
“She was the best person always. We loved having her at all the holidays. I just loved her- how could you not? One of the happiest people I have ever met." “I keep picturing her smile today. Every single time I saw her, she always had that big smile and made me feel good. She will always be remembered with love. I loved Bettye like a mother she was a fun person and I will miss her so much. If you did not have Bettye in your life then you missed out on one of the greatest blessings life has to offer. If you ever needed to be uplifted just call Bettye...she had the best shoulder to cry on and good ears for listening. She loved Waffle House and they knew exactly what she ate...they’d start cooking it when she walked in the door...and she would come in “dancing"...everyone would laugh. She had an extensive family and many friends. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed. A.S Turner & Sons is in charge of the funeral. Visitation at the funeral home at 2773 N.Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 will be held 5:00pm through 8:00pm on Monday May 17th. The funeral service, officiated by Rev. Frank Brock of Decatur First United Methodist Church, will be held at the funeral home at 1:00pm Tuesday, May 18. During the funeral, her great niece, Beth Blackburn of Dalton, Georgia, will be providing concert harp music. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Mrs. Wiggins’ memory. A. S. Turner & Sons
