Betty Bailey (Hawkes) Todd

Betty Bailey Todd, age 91, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at The Oaks Nursing Center in Marshallville, Georgia. Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2:00 at Leslie City Cemetery with Rev. Tommy Mason and Rev. John Walker officiating. (In case of rain, the service will be held at Leslie United Methodist Church.) The family will receive friends after the service on Tuesday and at the home of Clint and Lisa Holloway, 1757A Upper River Road at other times. Pallbearers include Tommy Harris, Jason Williams, Allen Kehoe, Bailey Harris, Max Holloway, Mitch Holloway & Connor Harris. Honorary Pallbearers include Billy Clark, Jack Miller & Doug Cheek.

Betty Bailey Todd was born on July 14, 1931, in Commerce, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Vance and Lucille Hawkes. She was active in many areas of the community since moving to Sumter County in the early 1950s. She served as a homemaker, secretary at Smithville Academy, educator in the Crisp County School System, and business owner of the Sumter County Welcome Center in Cobb, Georgia, where she fed many local farmers daily for several years. She was an active volunteer with the Historic SAM Shortline and The Rylander Theater. She was also a member of the Phoebe Sumter Auxiliary Pink Ladies, a Faircracker with the Georgia National Fairgrounds, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Sumter Shrine Club.  She was honored to serve as the First Lady of the Al Sihah Shrine Temple when her husband, John Todd, served as Potentate. She was an active member of Leslie United Methodist Church as well as the Town and Country Garden Club. Her greatest joy came from supporting all the activities of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known simply as “Gram” to many, especially former GSW baseball players, families, and SGTC Jets and Lady Jets basketball players and coaches.

She is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Jan Williams (George), Carol Harris (Tom) and Lisa Holloway (Clint); daughter-in-law, Marie B. Belcher (Alex);  eight grandchildren: Tommy Harris (Tasha), Christie Kehoe (Allen), Jason Williams (Tasha), Bailey Harris (Laycee), Max Holloway and Mitch Holloway (Jenny); six great grandchildren: Connor and Anna Harris, Kate Kehoe, and Owen, Luke, and Reid Williams;  a sister, Hazel Pittard; a niece, Teresa Gresham (Lamar); and a nephew, Steve Pittard (Jean). Extended family includes a sister-in-law, Freda Allen, as well as the children of her second husband, John Todd:  Janiece Todd Parsons, Dave Todd (Emvie), and the late Johnny (Joyce) Todd and their children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Norwood Bailey, her second husband, John H. Todd, and her son, John Bailey. Also preceding her in death are a brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Gloria Hawkes; brother-in-law, Lamar Pittard; and nephew Captain Lamar “Buddy” Pittard.

For those wishing to do so, memorial contributions are suggested to Leslie United Methodist Church, Leslie, Georgia or a charity of your choice.