Betty Sanford

Born in Orrick, Missouri on February 6, 1924

Departed on July 20, 2019 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

passed away peacefully into the next life on Saturday, July 20, 2019, in the Health Center at Richland Place after a slow decline in her physical health-though she maintained her mental sharpness and friendly, sweet personality until the end.

Often called a true Southern lady, Betty was born on a farm in Orrick, Missouri, part of "Little Dixie," though most of her life was spent in Nashville. The daughter of Noble and Lucile Bellis, she was the oldest of three children. She attended the University of Wichita in Kansas and met her husband, William Valerius Sanford, Jr., at a USO dance during World War II. They married in 1947 in Ripley, Tennessee, her husband's hometown.

During the early years of their marriage, Betty worked to put her husband through law school. Later, she devoted herself to caring for her family, as well as to being very active in her community and church, Immanuel Baptist. She and Val were part of a special bridge group: four couples who met regularly for some 50 years. Betty was especially devoted to her three grandchildren, Emmelia, Ben, and Charlotte, and her great-granddaughter, Winsley.

Betty is survived by her children, Mary Ford (and Mary's husband, David), Elizabeth Sanford, and Will Sanford (and his wife, Mary), as well as her sister, Georgia Lucile Wheat. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Noble William Bellis.

There will be a graveside service at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens for the family. Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd., with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Immanuel Baptist Church.