Betty Jean Russell McWilliams

Betty Jean Russell McWilliams, 91, of Macon, entered into eternal rest Friday, May 27, 2022.   Her life was defined in large part by a generous nature and a humble character that grew out of her belief that all good things come from her Lord. She was reluctant to accept praise or to seize credit for her good works, perhaps explaining why she held as her favorite scripture these words from the 4th chapter of The Revelation to John - “Worthy art Thou, our Lord, and our God, to receive glory and honor and power…”. In her life she understood that God was sovereign and that her future, both temporal and eternal, were completely in His care.

She possessed a healthy pride in her family, and when it came to her two boys, Steve and David, this sentiment, while no doubt equaled among most of those reading here, it was assuredly not surpassed by anyone. She was a faithful wife of 72 years to her husband, Mac, with whom she shared a tremendous loyalty and care for her family. She could never hear enough about her grandchildren and great grandchildren and thrilled at hearing of their accomplishments and escapades. As to friendship, if the Lord placed the well-being of a friend on her heart, she showed loving obedience to His leading and ministered as she was able to that friend. If Betty was your friend, you were indeed blessed.

Betty leaves valuable human and spiritual legacies to us all: Human in that she earned the lasting respect and love of her family and friends by her generosity and caring heart. Indeed, her life should serve as an example to us all; Spiritual in that she was grounded in her faith in Christ and His promises, among them that faithfulness to Him brings eternal reward. Romans 8:19 would make all the sense in the world to Betty McWilliams, especially in her final days of failing health: “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” She now stands in the midst of that glory with her Lord. Praise be to God for His faithfulness to those who love Him and call Him their own.

Mrs. McWilliams was predeceased by her husband by 11 days, Ernest E. McWilliams, and by her first grandchild, Cole McWilliams. She is survived by her sons, Steve McWilliams (Fran) of Covington, Georgia, and the Reverend David McWilliams (Vicky), Lakeland, Florida; grandson, the Reverend Evan McWilliams of London, England; granddaughter, Elisabeth M. Fuller (Josh); four great grandchildren, Knox, Logan, Beckett and Brynne, Covington, Georgia; and brother, Earl Russell of Buford, Georgia.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Historic Riverside Cemetery with the Reverend David McWilliams officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or one’s preferred Christian charity.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.

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