Betty Joyce Morgan

Betty Joyce Brown Morgan, commonly known by family and friends as B.J., Betty, Betty Boop, Betty Joyce, 82 of Boaz, Alabama, passed away on November 14, 2015. Betty was born in Mentone, AL, on May 19, 1933. She was the daughter of Reverend E.R. and Ruth Ellie Waller and as a child lived in many states. This moving grew into a passion for travel and life. She graduated from Morgantown High School located in Morgantown, MS where she was the Valedictorian of her class. It was while living in Morgantown that she would meet a young man Thomas C. Morgan whom she would reunite with many years later. While her family was living in Wichita, KS and after having graduated high school, nineteen year old Betty met Elmer Brown an Air Force GI. Local families were asked to open their homes to GIs who were without living quarters due to weather conditions. Her family opened their home to Elmer Brown. Elmer and Betty grew to love one another, and soon married on April 10, 1952. Betty was well equipped to live the life required of the wife of an Air Force GI. Betty often said that she would never marry a minister. Little did she know that Elmer Brown was called to the ministry as a child and would finally answer the call to the ministry in 1965, while the family was stationed in Italy. She soon found herself not only the wife of an Air Force GI, but also the wife of a pastor. She fulfilled both with joy. Although the couple continued to live life as an Air Force family, they also pioneered churches in the state of California. Betty served as the President of the Protestant Women of the Chapel in Italy, and faithfully served as a minister’s wife in the Church of God. She was very purposeful to serve as Room Mother for her children, and as President of the Parent Teacher Association at Lone Tree Elementary School. Elmer and Betty would retire from the Air Force in 1970, and continue pastoring until 1974. Elmer, her husband, would pass away in 1992. They enjoyed serving in the Church of God and the United States Air Force. They were married for 40 years and had four children Dr. Ernest E. Brown (Katie); Vivian Lea Brown; Bobbie Joyce Freeman (Lee); and E.R. Brown (Andrea). For several years after the passing of her husband, Elmer Brown, Betty served the city of Boaz as an employee at the Boaz Public Library. Until the day she passed away, Betty read 3-5 books a week. In 1995, several years after the passing of Elmer, Betty would attend a reunion at Morgantown High School. That night after having reunited and obviously rekindled a high school love, she spent about three hours talking on the phone with Thomas C. Morgan from Long Beach, MS. Betty and Tommy would marry on April 19, 1996. They enjoyed 20 years together. Tommy passed away on October 10, 2015. Family members shared that Elmer Brown was known to be in the middle of pranks, jokes, and lots of laughter, and that Tommy introduced Betty to the love of country dancing dance and Karaoke. Betty and Tom were purposeful to have a blended family and she now would have three more children Larry (Linda) Robertson, Cheryl Morgan, and Michael (Julie) Morgan. Betty enjoyed reading, shopping, playing softball, watching baseball and football, singing gospel and country music, and dancing. Betty and Tommy were actively involved in the VFW. Most recently, Tom and Betty fellowshipped with Post 2760 of the VFW on North 3rd Street located in Gadsden, AL. Betty was preceded in death by her first husband, Elmer Brown; second husband, Thomas C. Morgan, parents, Reverend E.R. and Ruth Waller; brothers L.C. Waller and Kenneth Waller; and sister Kathy Waller. Betty’s legacy lives on through her 7 children; 29 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends. She loved. She was loved. The family will receive visitors at the Albertville Memorial Chapel beginning at 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday, November 16, 2015. The Celebration of Betty Brown’s transition from this life to her eternal life will be hosted at the Boaz Church of God on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 beginning at 1:00 PM. She will lie in state beginning at noon. Dr. Ernest Eugene Brown, Betty’s son, of The Christian Center located in Arab, AL, will be officiating with Dr. Michael Welborn, her “perfect” son, and Bishop Ryan Bristow assisting. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at the Hillcrest Cemetery located in Boaz, AL. Friends and family may choose to send flowers or memorial donations to The Food Ministry at the Christian Center located in Arab, AL at 9105 AL-69, Arab, AL 35016.

Betty Joyce Morgan

May 19, 1933 - November 14, 2015