Mrs. Betty Blanton Petree Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Betty Petree's Life Memories Bethlehem, Georgia – Martha Elizabeth (Betty) Blanton Petree, 89, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Survivors include her beloved husband of over 65 years, Henry Reyno Petree, three sons, Reyno Blanton Petree of Tucker; Benjamin Russell (Kenda) Petree of Bethlehem, Dr. Lewis Holden (Ellen) Petree of Winder, and grandchildren Robert Russell Petree, Holden Ealy Petree, and Margaret Elizabeth Petree, and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. She had several devoted caregivers-Robert Petree, Annie Morton, Shelia Garrett, Scelinda Pope, and Ann Manders. She became a Christian and in 1959 joined Winder First United Methodist Church. She was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, and Barrow County's children and families, where she leaves a loving legacy for all who knew her. The youngest of six children, Betty was born December 17, 1926 in Talbotton, GA to William Benjamin Blanton Sr. and Sarah Fryer Blanton. She was predeceased by her sister, Pauline Blanton Holden, and brothers, Eugene Talmadge Blanton, William Benjamin Blanton, Jr., George Garrett Blanton, and James Fryer Blanton. She graduated from Talbotton High School, and Washington Seminary in Atlanta, and graduated in 1949 from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She married H. Reyno Petree on June 24, 1950, and moved to Dooly County (Vienna, GA) for her first State job with the draft board. They moved to Winder in 1959 with two sons, and bought a 200 acre farm in Bethlehem in 1961, and their third son arrived the next year. A working mother with 34 years of service with the State of Georgia, Betty served as Director of Barrow County's Department of Family and Children's Services for 23 years beginning in 1967, particularly with adoptions in Barrow County, at her retirement testimonial dinner in 1991, many adoptees were present with families of their own. She was instrumental helping to put families together. During her career Betty received many accolades. Governor George Busbee honored her with an appreciation plaque for 10 years of faithful service in 1977. She and her DFCS staff moved into the newly constructed office located on Lee Street in Winder in 1986, which has since expanded and still houses the Barrow County DFCS offices. She was recognized for five years of service as a Foundation Trustee of the Georgia County Welfare Association (GCWA) in 1988. The GCWA named Betty as State Director of the Year in 1990. Upon her retirement in 1991, the State Division of Family and Children's Services presented her with a certificate of appreciation. Betty was inducted into the GCWA Hall of Fame in 1996, and remained an active, annual DFCS advocate in the state legislature for many years. Mrs. Petree was honored by State House Resolution 954 introduced by State Rep. John Mobley during the legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly in 1992 for "her many years of dedicated service and for the positive difference she made in the lives of families and children who needed a helping hand." The Resolution went on to read, "She (Betty Petree) has been an active and energetic member of the GCWA from its beginning, serving as foundation trustee, working with staff development and legislative committees, serving as president of the local district, and serving on the GCWA Board of Directors as a local district director representative. She has been a leader and innovator in improving human services within her community, playing a key role in establishing a sliding scale day care center, a homeless shelter, transition house, and food & clothing banks, as well as creating a volunteer Citizen Review Panel and an Interagency Council. She has consistently promoted high goals for her staff, emphasizing the professional delivery of equal services to the people of Barrow County and creating an atmosphere of dignity and worth for those served by DFCS." Betty was a founding member of the Barrow County Ministerial Association and later the Barrow County Cooperative Benevolence Ministry, Inc., where she served as grant writer. She was an active member of the Winder First UMC Wesleyan Circle, and W.Y. Smith Sunday School Class, and she served on many church committees over the years. She and her husband served at the first WFUMC Ham & Egg Supper in 1964, and continued this tradition up until recently. She was an active member of the Winder Lions Club Auxiliary for which she served as President and in other positions. For many years she enjoyed Bridge Club with her dear friends in this community. Betty was admitted to the Sunbury Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Winder in 1991, where she served as an officer and active member for many years including past Regent and past Leader of Winder's chapter of Children of the Revolution. She was active in many DAR projects over the years like Constitution Week, Essay Contests, and the DAR Good Citizen award. She attended many state DAR Conferences over the years, and was a Member of the Agnes Lee United Daughters of the Confederacy in Decatur. She was admitted into the United Daughter's of the American Revolution in 1999. Betty was devoted to her family and kept family history alive. She had a quick wit and an amazing memory for details, and was the authority for any past events of the Blanton or Petree families. She was a true southern lady who kept in touch with extended family members, friends and colleagues throughout the country. An avid Georgia football fan, she hosted many delicious tailgates at the Fine Arts building on Saturdays. Special football weekends and the annual GA-FLA games were spent with the Millers, and with Betty's three sons and their friends sleeping on the floor of their Jacksonville hotel room. She was a gracious hostess. An excellent cook and party planner, she hosted Bridge Club, the annual family Christmas party, and the annual W.Y. Smith Sunday School Class' Ice Cream Social. The family will receive friend Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 continued... 1 2 Next ...continued P.M. at the funeral home. Betty's life will be remembered at a Funeral Service on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 4:00 P.M. from the Winder-First United Methodist Church Sanctuary with the Rev. Terry Tippens and the Rev. Daniel Brown officiating. She will lie in state at the church 1 hour before the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Winder First UMC, 280 North Broad Street, Winder, GA, 30680 or the Barrow County Cooperative Benevolence Ministry Inc., PO. Box 1553, Winder, GA, 30680. Previous 1 2

Mrs. Betty Blanton Petree

December 17, 1926 - January 10, 2016