Betty Sue Evans Ashe Wilbanks, 97, died Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Indywood Glen in Greenwood. Betty was a lifelong Tupelo native born on August 25, 1926 to Elmer and Pearl Evans. In 1945, she graduated from Tupelo High School. A devoted mother and wife, she was the widow of Carl L. “Doodlum” Ashe and Cecil E. “Gene” Wilbanks. Betty was a talented cook and could often be found in the kitchen. She spent a number of years at Hardens Bakery and later retired from Sunflower Cleaners. While her health allowed, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Tupelo.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Susan Ashe Tingle and her husband, Gary, of Greenwood; step-daughter, Carol Wilbanks Toyama and her husband, Nate, of San Francisco, California; five grandchildren, Kim Robertson Brister and her husband, Mike, of Arlington, Tennessee, Kelli Robertson of Greenwood, Aaron Toyama, Bess Toyama, and Lucy Toyama all of California; great-grandchildren, Bailey Sellars and his wife, Morgan, and Kassie Williamson and her husband, Cassidy; and two great-great-grandchildren, Leah and Avery Williamson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; son, Johnny Ashe; grandson, Scotty Robertson; and three siblings.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday December 26, 2023, in Tupelo Memorial Park. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
