Bettie Clare Rich

Mrs. Bettie C. Rich, 75, was granted her angel wings Friday, November 9, 2012. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Since 2004 she had valiantly fought the incurable disease of Pulmonary Fibrosis and in the last seven and half months, lung cancer. She is survived by her husband, Don L. Rich; two sons, Michael R. Rich of Atlanta, GA, and Steve J. Rich of Mobile, AL; three granddaughters, Morgan, Mallory and Makenzie Rich; three sisters, Mrs. Judy Puckett of Olive Branch, MS, Ms. Cynthia McGee and Ms. Vicki Vinson of Atlanta, GA; and two brothers, Micky McGee and his wife, Carolyn, of Sugarland, Texas, Jack McGee and his wife, Geraldine, of Jackson, MS. She has numerous nephews and one niece and many great nephews and great nieces. Mrs. Rich was born in Jackson, MS and graduated from Central High School. She attended Mississippi College and graduated with a BS degree in Education. Mrs. Rich moved to the MS Gulf Coast as a young adult and has called it home for 54 years. She continued her schooling with a MA Degree from William Carey College and certification in Gifted Education from USM. She taught in Jackson, Biloxi, and Ocean Springs. She presented at many local and national conferences and wrote several articles for professional magazines. Her greatest honor was being selected Teacher of the Year for Ocean Springs Schools in 1984-85 school year. She retired after 31 years of teaching. She spent her first year after retirement traveling. She then went to work for Shearwater Pottery in the shop and painted WIA prints. She and her husband were avid bird watchers, loved movies, and for many years were involved with Carnival. She was queen of Cavaliers Ball. They attended St. Paul Methodist Church where Bettie taught Sunday School for a few years. They both loved spending time with family and friends. Bettie was a beach lover, loved to read and travel, loved music and was a collecter of Shearwater Pottery. Bettie was known by many and loved by all. She had the gift to touch everyone's heart. She was blessed with many long, loyal friendships. Mrs. Rich will be greatly missed but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Rich's memory to Caring Voices Coalition, 8249 Meadowbridge Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116, or to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, 1685 Branham Lane, Suite 227, San Jose, CA 95118. A memorial service will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at St. Paul United Methodist Chuch on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs where friends may visit one hour before service time. A celebration of life for Bettie will be held at the Rich residence following the service. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs is in charge of arrangements.