Betty Jane Addison

Betty J. Addison always said, “To God be the glory for the great things He has done.” Surrounded with love, Betty J. Addison was born on June 9, 1942 in Baltimore, MD to the late Laura and Louis Craig. Betty grew up in East Baltimore attending Baltimore City Public Schools including Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She enjoyed many summer with her family in Warrenton, Virginia. At an early age, Betty often took care of household needs by assisting in cooking and ironing. She worked for various companies including Western Electric Company and ending at Howard Hughes. She held positions as an assembly worker, cook and laboratory technician. In 1956 at the age of fourteen on the corner of Bond St. and Lafayette Avenue at a store named Kramer's something magical occurred—Betty met “Danny,” the love of her life. With the help of pickles, games of Peek-a-Boo, and smooth dressing, a three year courtship emerged. On April 21, 1959 Betty and Danny were united as one and from this union three children were reared; Renee, Theodore, Jr., and Shawn. Betty was a loving, faithful, devoted wife and loyal mother, always sacrificing her needs above others. She exhibited the attributes of a virtuous woman. As a child, Betty attended Israel Baptist Church. Later in life, she attended St Philip's Lutheran Church and Huber Memorial U.C.C. Church. In 1976 at the Frontiers of Faith Baptist Church, Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. This choice began the greatest journey of her life. As Sis Betty began her Christian journey she joined along with her husband once he received his call from God to preach the gospel, as he organized and became head shepherd of Rising Zion Baptist Church. Sis. Betty became “First Lady” of Rising Zion in 1979, allowing the Lord to use her in a various ministries of the church. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deaconess, Camp Counselor, Camp Cook Supervisor,and Kitchen Committee Chairperson. She also served on the Pastors Aide and Women's Ministries. Sis. Betty served the Lord working in the church and taking advantage of opportunities afforded to her to learn and study God's Words. Sis Betty's love for Christ and desire to grow spiritually motivated her to learn at many places including the Baltimore School of the Bible. The Billy Graham School of Evangelism, The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and The Conference of Bible Expos to name a few. Sis Betty loved the Lord. Sis Betty could be seen at any given time speaking words of wisdom coated in soft and sometimes tuff love. She was often surrounded on Sundays by females of all ages having “girl talk”. As much as Sis Betty enjoyed spending time with the girls she enjoyed spending over fifty-eight years with her one and only husband Danny. Sis Betty loved to laugh, drink Coca Cola, tell stories and tell other about how good God has been. Sis Betty did all that she could until her illness prevailed. She didn't miss a bus trip that would go near a shopping center or a ship that would allow her to sail the oceans. Sis Betty always added her own touch to whatever she did from frying chicken to given nicknames like Ash, Moonbean and The Gang. Again surrounded with love and family, First Lady Betty J. Addison departed this life peacefully on July 8, 2017 after a lengthy illness. She joins her first-born daughter Renee who preceded her in death. She is treasure that will truly be missed. Yet we know as stated in Corinthians that, “...to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”. Betty leaves to cherish fond memories: her loving and devoted husband and best friend; Pastor Theodore D. Addison, Sr.; son Theodore D. Addison, Jr.; daughter, Shawn Wright (Jon'nell); grandson, Tyrell Addison known to her as Big Boy; sisters, Brenda Baylor, Florita Robinson, and Darlene holly (James); uncle, Joseph Eaddy, brothers-in-law, Henry Addison and Ronald Addison; sister Dorothy Addison, Jean Madison, Carolyn Chase (Lewis), Cynthia Fowlkes, and Tamara Barnes Godson, Pastor James Johnson; goddaughter, Ashley Banks nieces, nephew great nieces, great nephews, and a host of other family and friends.

Tributes

Betty Jane Addison

June 9, 1942 - July 8, 2017