Betty Julia Russell Cummings, “Betsy,” was born August 29, 1926, in Quincy, FL to Albert and Hazel Russell. At age fourteen, Betsy went to live at The Martha Berry School for Girls, in Rome, GA. While there she worked in the operation of the school. Her jobs included 4:00 A.M., “biscuit making,” for the students, and in the weaving room threading the large looms. While at Berry, she was selected to greet Henry Ford, the philanthropist and role model for the students at Berry. She and her brother, Richard L. Russell (Uncle Dick) both graduated from Berry.
She entered the first coed class of Florida State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned an Elementary Education degree from The University of Florida, Gainesville. The family moved to Huntsville, AL in 1960. Betsy taught eight years in Panama City, FL and twenty-three years in the Huntsville City School System.
Betsy had fun talents and hobbies. She was an accomplished dancer-winning a Jitterbug contest in High School- she loved to tap dance, played harmonica and ukulele, and often performed for our beach family. Betsy was an outstanding master gardener and was an excellent surf fisherman. She thought nothing of getting neck deep in the surf to fish with her beloved brother.
Betsy and Uncle Dick made sure to keep the bonds of friend and family strong. Their families gathered yearly at Mexico Beach for fifty-plus years. Betsy’s sister, Emily R. Brady and her family would attend if they were able. The “McPherson Family” Netah, Tommy, Mary Charles and Paul Moses also gathered at the beach. After retiring, Betsy enjoyed volunteer work and traveling with her friends, the “Golden Girls” from Berry days. She enjoyed traveling with friends Janice Brooks, Carol Williamson, Heide Holmes, and Wanda Thompson.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Russell (Uncle Dick) in 2022 and his wife Aunt Nordice in 2023, and sister Emily R. Brady and husband Donal Brady.
She is survived by her four children and their families: Vicki C. McCurry (Ralph), Robert E. Cummings, Jr., “Bo,” Carol A. Cummings, and Laura C. Thomson (Tim), six grandchildren: Wes McCurry (Jennifer), Michael McCurry (Tracy), Griffin McCurry, Robert Cummings, III (Madison), Nell Cummings, Robert Thomson (Christina), ten great-grandchildren: Olivia McCurry, Lucy McCurry, Lilly Collins, Cole Collins, Wesley McCurry, Michael McCurry, Jr., Foster McCurry, Xavier Creighton, Kayla Thomson, and Robert Cummings, IV, “Bobby,” numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
