Bettye Burford

Bettye Jane Burford was born on May 12, 1931 in Brighton, Tennessee to Julia Pearl Mims Marshall and James Archie Marshall and passed away on October 25, 2021.  She was the fourth of eleven children, having five brothers and five sisters.  She married her husband Roger Lewis Burford over the Thanksgiving holidays of her senior year of high school.  She graduated from Brighton High School, being the first in her family to get a high school degree.  She attended classes at LSU.

She is survived by her three children and spouses, daughter Pamela (Gary) Ross, son Roger Marshall (Liz) Burford and daughter Emily Tang Shehane.  She “Nini” is survived by her grandchildren, Nicole Judice, Natalie Ross, Jessica Henchy, Shiloh Fuscello, Erica Shehane, Aaron Shehane and Lauren Lozano (a great-niece that Nini considered a grandchild).  She is survived by her great-grandchildren Joseph Judice, Anya Judice, Riley Shehane, and Davis Shehane.  She is also survived by her remaining siblings, Danny, Andy and Gene Marshall.

Bettye is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Roger Lewis Burford; her parents, Julia Pearl Marshall and James Archie Marshall; her siblings James, Sercy, Lotis, Jesse, Louise, Gracie, and Ruby.

Her hobbies were sewing, gardening, and tennis.  She continued playing tennis well into her 70’s in a senior league.  In 2011 she received a service award by the Baton Rouge Women’s Tennis Association for her contribution to and promotion of tennis in Baton Rouge.  She served as the first president of the Highland Park Tennis Association.

Our humble thanks go to those who cared for her at Ollie Steele Burden Manor and Clarity Hospice.  A very special thank you goes to “Que,” whom Bettye loved as a caregiver but more importantly as a friend, held closely to her heart.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge. A memorial service will be observed at a later date.