Betty Louise Gordy “Beegie” Wise

Betty Louise Gordy “Beegie” Wise of Tuscaloosa, AL, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010.

Funeral services for “Beegie” will be held in Hazlehurst from the First Presbyterian Church on Friday, September 10, 2010, at 11:00 AM., with visitation at Stringer Funeral Home on Thursday evening, September 9th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Hazlehurst is handling arrangements.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Burnside Gordy and Alice Fay Tillman Gordy, and one brother, George Burnside “Burns” Gordy, III.

Betty was born in Columbus, Georgia on June 6, 1926. She was a member of the First Baptist Church , and graduated from Columbus High School in 1943.

Betty then went to the University of Alabama, where she became “Beegie” to all her friends. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, and was the Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s “Sweetheart” in 1945. “Beegie” earned a bachelor’s degree from the School of Commerce in 1948.

“Beegie” married John on August 30, 1947. The couple moved to Hazlehurst in 1948. “Beegie” joined John as a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hazlehurst, taught Sunday School for 25 years, held the Presidency and other offices in the Women in the Church. She was also active in many other local groups.

“Beegie” and John moved back to Tuscaloosa in 1997. They are members of the First United Methodist Church. “Beegie” was a member of Les Amis Study Club since 1997.

Betty is survived by her husband, John Durr Wise, Jr.; her children: Georgia Fay Wise, John Durr Wise, III(Kay), and Gary Millsaps Wise( Sharon ); two grandchildren: Sigrid Elisabeth Chadwick Wise, and Molly Herrington Kirk, three great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Remembrances may be sent to the Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, the Presbyterian Church in Hazlehurst, or to your favorite charity.