With hearts full of gratitude for a life well lived, we celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Betty Sue Weathers Wallace, who peacefully entered eternal rest on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Riverside Doctors’ Hospital, Williamsburg, Virginia. Betty was born on July 3, 1938, in Conway, South Carolina, to the late Percy and Mattie DeWitt Weathers.
She was educated in the Horry County Public School System and graduated from Whittemore High School on May 25, 1956. She later married the late James Melvin Wallace, and from this union, she was blessed with two sons.
Throughout her life, Betty was known for her strong work ethic, dedication, and commitment to serving others. While residing in New York, she was employed as an operator with Ma Bell Telephone Company. After relocating to Williamsburg, Virginia, she began working at the King’s Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg as a hostess. She later became the Store Manager at May’s Department Store, where she worked for many years.
She eventually returned to telecommunications, accepting a position as an operator at Fort Eustis, now known as Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Through her commitment and professionalism, she was promoted to Lead Operator, a position from which she retired.
Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age while growing up in Conway, South Carolina, establishing the faith that would guide her throughout her life. After relocating to Virginia, she united with New Beech Grove Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful and devoted member for more than fifty-five years. She served on the Usher Board until her health began to decline, warmly welcoming all who entered the church with grace, kindness, and a servant’s heart. Betty was also a proud member of the church’s 80’s Club, where she enjoyed the fellowship, laughter, and cherished friendships she shared with her fellow members. Her unwavering faith and commitment to her church family reflected a life devoted to serving God and others.
Not long after making Williamsburg her home, Betty became deeply involved in her community through the Williamsburg & Vicinity Negro Business & Professional Women’s Club. For more than fifty years, she supported the Club’s mission of promoting and protecting the interests of African American business and professional women, mentoring youth, improving the quality of life in local and global communities, and fostering fellowship. Throughout her years of service, Betty held numerous positions, but her favorite role was that of mentor, where she found great joy in encouraging and guiding young women.
Through the Club, Betty formed lifelong friendships with the women she affectionately called her “Club Sisters.” Together, they attended regional and national conferences, hosted countless community events, and worked together to make a lasting impact in the Williamsburg community. The Club became an extension of her family and reflected her lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and mentorship. Betty was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society, where she enjoyed the fellowship, laughter, and friendships she shared with its members.
Those who knew and loved Betty will remember her for her warm heart, gracious spirit, and love for her family. She treasured time spent with those she loved, enjoyed traveling, and was known for her impeccable sense of style, carrying herself with elegance, confidence, and grace. Betty was known for telling it like it was, and her familiar expressions, “I’m telling you…” and “From that…,” will remain in the hearts of those who knew her best. Her kindness, wisdom, and genuine spirit left a lasting impression on everyone blessed to know her.
Betty was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrie Derecarda Wallace; her granddaughter, Brittany A. Anderson; and her sisters, Margie, Ruth, and Azalea.
Left to cherish her memories are her son, Steve Melvin Wallace (Yvette); her sister, Mary; her cherished grandchildren, Mahogani Rae Wallace, Sedaya Monet Andrews (Ashton), Jeffrie Derecarda Wallace Jr., Starr Chardonnay Wallace, Kevin James Harris, Lorenzo Raphael Dow (Lavanna), and Fabian Laurence Dow (Erika); her treasured great-grandchildren, Azir, Iris, Dashaun, Kimari, Jazlyn, Seth, Victoria, Dallas, Devin, Erik, Kylie, Legend, Nazir, and Amari; her beloved goddaughter, Ashleigh Nicole; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
