Bettye Fikes -Lapsley

God, in His infinite wisdom and power, shares His children with us. He allows them to live among us until He is ready for their return home. On February 10, 1951 God shared a daughter with the world was introduced to our beloved Mrs. Bettye Joy Fikes-Lapsley. She was born on this day to Mr. Lovell and Mrs. Mary Anna Fikes in Perry County, AL. She was the fifth born of thirteen children with four of her siblings proceeding her in transitioning to eternal life. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her middle name was just a small example of the joy she brought to the lives of the people she encountered. Her smile and selfless spirit is one that will never be forgotten. Bettye was called from her earthly home on November 18, 2022. She fought the good fight, she had finished the race but most of all, she had kept the faith.

Bettye accepted Christ as her Personal Savior at an early age and joined the Providence Missionary Baptist Church. While she was a member at Providence, she was under the leadership of Rev. F.D. Craig, Rev. Clifford Coleman, and Rev. Dr. Matthew Wilson. Bettye was educated in the Perry County School system and was a 1969 graduate of Lincoln High School. After graduating from high school, Bettye began her life’s journey and lived in various cities throughout the United States. She then returned back to her hometown and that’s when life truly began. On August 20, 1971, she was united in marriage to John Wesley Lapsley and they remained married for 51 years. She then began what was her true earthly calling of cooking and caring for the elderly. She has worked at Marion Motel, Kalico Kitchen, Department of Corrections, and Southland Nursing Home. She then began working with various elderly people in the community including Mr. Gene Suttles,  Mrs. Florence Warren, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Wilkerson, and lastly Mr. Obadiah Scott

 Bettye was indeed admired by many that encountered her. Her infectious laughter and many jokes kept people in her presence entertained.  After the passing of her mother, Mary Anna Fikes, she took on the role of being the matriarch of the family. When there were gatherings of various kinds, she would be called upon to fix dishes such as peach cobbler, chicken salad, pound cakes, dump cakes, dressing, sweet potato pies, tea cakes and many other dishes. Bettye was also definitely a woman of strength, courage, and resilience. As we highlight her life, we have to mention the characteristics mentioned. The strength she showed was demonstrated from diagnosis after diagnosis. She did not allow any diagnosis to allow her faith to waver. She held truth to God’s Word and she persevered. She demonstrated courage from the countless treatments she had to endure and again she persevered. Her resilience was shown over the past 6-7 years as she continued to fight until God called her home.

Bettye leaves to cherish her memories: her devoted and faithful husband, John W. Lapsley of Marion, AL ; a loving and caring daughter Yolanda T. Lapsley of Birmingham, AL; an adoring and compassionate granddaughter, Ayanna J. Robinson of Auburn, AL; a devoted adoptive son/nephew, Willis M. Fikes of Birmingham, AL;  Six loving sisters, Dorothy (John) Snell of Cleveland, OH; Grace Martin of Fort Wayne, IN; Johnnie Ruth (Dock) Morton of Sprott, AL; Catherine Heard, Lela Pryor and Jaqueline Fikes-McCain, all of Atlanta, GA; Cheryl Fikes of Tuscaloosa, AL; One devoted brother, Andrew Fikes of Marion, AL; six sisters-in-law, Earlene Lapsley of Marion, AL, Doris Payton of Millbrook, AL, Bettye Robinson and Caroline Best of Montgomery, AL, Irma Underwood and Thelma Hogue of St. Louis, Mo; one brother-in-law, Willie Paul (Jennie) Lapsley of Riverdale, GA; two loving and dear friends, Ms Connie Scott and Ms Lenetta Tubbs; a host of nieces and nephews who she absolutely adored; and adoptive daughters she cared for as if they were her own.

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