On Friday, November 9th, Betty L. Wardlaw, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt passed away in Florence, Alabama.
Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11th with the funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park.
Betty Lou Wilkerson Wardlaw was born on November 1, 1939 in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Three years following, the Wilkersons moved to Lynch, Kentucky where she was raised a coal miner’s daughter by Waymon and Francis Wilkerson. Upon graduating from Lynch High School, Betty moved to Washington D.C. to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation where she met her husband of 60 years, Russell Wardlaw. After moving from Clinton MD to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area where they resided for 28 years, they retired in Florence, Alabama. Betty was full of an abundance of love, laughter and life. It is with great sadness that the family of Betty L. Wardlaw announces her passing after a 2 year battle with lung cancer at 79 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her father, Waymon D. Wilkerson, mother Francis L. Wilkerson, sisters, Audrey Lewis and Irene Parker, and brother Dural Wilkerson.
She is survived by her husband, Russell A. Wardlaw, son Richard (Kristie) C. Wardlaw, daughter, Dianna (David) L. Bradley, sisters Jeri Beard and Melinda Black, grandchildren, Derek Wardlaw, Brad Gary, Danielle Wardlaw, Tyler Gary, Justin Wardlaw, Morgan Kenny, Blaine Olive, and Jackson Olive, great grandchildren Hayden Claire Gary, brother in law Ronnie Wardlaw, sister in law Veronica Stovall, and multiple nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Daugherty, Dr. Hemant Patel and the Northwest Alabama Cancer Center nurses and staff, Dr. Lyman Mitchell, Pam Hill as well as the Kindred Healthcare Group staff for their support, care love and concern during her illness.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital.