Betty S. Coney

The Awakening:

And Betty heard God when He said, “wake up and arise Betty.” You are born out of dust unto the earth; you will have an abundant life of love and you will experience joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, beauty, and cruelty. You will also bear the scars of a debilitating condition that will ultimately propel you into a life of service. Your life will enrich your relationships with the lives of all those you touch.

And thus, Betty S. Coney was born the fourth of six children of the late Leroy and Etta Coney. She grew up in a nurturing home with her six siblings, Theron (deceased), Hubert (deceased), Vonzy (deceased), Sadie (deceased), Margie (deceased) and Effie; one spiritual sister, Alice Lanier (deceased), and three spiritual brothers, L.H. Sapp (deceased), Earnest Newkirk, and Leander Ellis (deceased). She shared a loving bond with two special aunts, Irene McNeil (deceased) and Malinda Stuart (deceased). A spirited and extremely serious child, Betty became a leader (a phenomenal woman) among her siblings and her peers. She knew that she had many miles to go before she slept again, and a choice between two roads.

Church Affiliation

The choice between two roads had been made, when as a very young child, Betty joined the Lakeside First Baptist Church, where she served with unconditional zest and fervor. She worked whenever and wherever she was needed. Betty serves as Youth Director, organizer of The Church’s Black History program, member of program committee and as a Sunday School facilitator. Betty did not ignore her path to service.

Education and Employment

To further enrich her life of service, she attended the public schools in Candler County: Byrd Jr. High and Candler County Training School. Upon graduation, Betty attended Myers’ School of Cosmetology, where she graduated in June of 1960. The instructor of Myers’ Beauty Salon immediately hired her.

Feeling a need to further her education, despite her chronic illness, Betty returned home and worked at Ruby Pierces’ Beauty Salon. But Betty had a great love for children, books, reading, poetry, and prose. She followed her burning desire and embarked on an educational journey bound on easing the world’s plight of ignorance, want and hopelessness. She received loving encouragement from her parents, friends, and other students who were already attending the former Savannah State College, now Savannah State University, the winter quarter of 1961. She earned a B. S. degree in Elementary Education. In 1965, she received a B. S. degree in Media/Library Science.

For one quarter at Savannah State College, it was the worst of times for Betty. While working as a Student Assistant in the Reference Department of the Library, she was required to read the book, Death Comes to an Archbishop in English 101. It surely felt like death to her that quarter because that book was a very difficult and tedious book to read. (Smile my students. All of us experienced the rigor of learning).

These were also the best of times. Betty worked for five years at Todd Grant Elementary and High School as a librarian in Darien, Georgia. While there, she organized SLAG (Student Library Assistant of Georgia). She also organized a debating team that students actually enjoyed.

Betty’s next educational feat came at George Washington Carver Elementary and High School in Richmond Hill, Georgia. While there, she also taught a night class in adult Education. In this class, an amazing thing happened: An 82-year-old gentleman learned to write his name.

In 1972, Betty earned a master’s degree in K through 9th Grade Education from the former Savannah State College and the former Armstrong State College, now known as Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus, while working in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

Betty returned home to Metter, Georgia in 1974 and joined the faculty at Metter Middle School, then located on East Lillian Street. There she taught 5th through 8th grade remedial reading.  In 1982, she taught 6th grade Social Studies and 7th grade Language Arts. Later, she taught 5th grade Social Studies, Reading, and directed drama classes. There in 1989, Betty initiated the After-School Reading Program, the first ever at the Middle School. The program was instructed by Betty and was funded by individuals from the community, funds from the Middle School, and by herself. When the Middle School relocated to the new wing at Metter High School, located on West Vertia Street at that time, Betty taught 7th grade Language Arts. 

Betty S. Coney was an avid educator who saw a need and fulfilled it. She was determined not to rust out. Instead, she chose to wear out working with children and adults alike.

Betty: The Benefactor

Betty supported her community in many ways, but she gave generously to the American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association Fund, the United Way, the Candler County Foundation for Public Education, and to the Savannah State University’s Scholarship Program. She had a lifelong membership with the N.A.A.C.P, the Candler County Culture Center, GAE-NEA, and a member with GREA (Candler County Retired Educators Association).

And God Said “That is Good”

Betty passed into peaceful Respite

April 28, 2024

Betty leaves deep sorrow and many memories to one sister, Effie Coney of Metter, GA; her foster son (nephew), Calvin (Irene) Walker of Metter, GA; four foster grandchildren, Le’Ronn Walker, Theron Walker, and Arshe´ Johnson all of Statesboro, GA, April (Keric) Foster of DeRidder, LA; one nephew, Marvin Everett of Metter, GA; three nieces, Phyllis Cone of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Daisy (Warren) Brown of Dublin, GA, and Lavern Johnson of Metter, GA; one brother-in-law, Willie Cone, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft; one spiritual brother, Earnest Newkirk of Asbury Park, NJ; several cousins, friends, and associates.  

The Staff of Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Coney family with Dignity, Respect and Integrity. 

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