Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Bettie Jean Irby Washington was called to leave her earthly home on Sept. 13, 2023, at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center. Bettie Jean was born to Thomas E. “Bufus” Irby Sr., and Ella Louise Ward Irby. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Andrew and Janie Ward; paternal grandparents, Elder George Will Irby and Missionary Annie Jefferies Irby; brother, Thomas E. “Bubba” Irby Jr. and then her beloved caring, devoted and dedicated husband of 52 years, Howard Washington. Bettie retired from Louise Obici Memorial Hospital after serving 34 years as the Unit Secretary on the Oncology Unit. She was a member of Zion Community Church, where she served as a Deaconess, who lived to serve The Lord in whichever capacity God would allow. 

Left to treasure her affectionate memories are her three devoted children, sons, Howard Reginald Washington (Jean) and Darryl Jerome Washington (Renee); daughter, Beverly Shawnee` Washington-Williams (Wayne); her precious grandchildren, Thomas Washington, Chantall Joyner (Lee), Darryl “DJ” Washington II and Bryce Williams; great-granddaughter, Layla Joyner; brother, Larry Irby; sisters-in-law, Wanda Irby and Elizabeth “Liz” Irby; brother-in-law, Robert “Morg” Washington; nieces, Rhonda Irby-Pittman (Dale) and Talitha Irby; nephews, Wayne Irby and Dwan Irby (Fawn) Tramaine “TJ” Irby; helpful niece, Linda Washington-Everett; special-sister cousins, Marion Porter, Ruth Hickman and Delcenia Newton. Also being lovingly referred to as Nana by many, along with a host of family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Zion Community Church-Northern Suffolk. A viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home.