Place of Service: New life St. Paul C.O.G.I.C (Belzoni)

Date of Service: Sat, Dec 30th, 2023 @ 11a.m.

Visitation: Fri, Dec 29th, 2023 11a.m. - 5p.m. (Belzoni)

Internment: Little Mt. Zion Cemetery (Midnight Ms.)

Betty Jean Lampkin (Gaines) was born March 1, 1956, in Silver City, Ms. to Lewis and Annie Lampkin, who both preceded her in death. God blessed her with a loving and devoted mother, Edna Mae Lampkin. She was the seventh of twenty siblings. Her sisters, Clara Lampkin Gainwell and Annie Henry White James preceded her in death.

Betty Jean accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at Little Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Midnight Ms. Under the leadership of Reverend J.E. Birts. Later in life, she moved her membership to 10th Avenue Church of Christ in Columbus Ms. Under the leadership of Minister Willie McCoy. She was a Godly woman who believed in serving God and remained a faithful member until she transitioned.

Betty attended schools in Humphreys County, Mississippi and participated in track and basketball in high school. She is a 1974 graduate of Humphreys County High School in Belzoni, Ms. After high school she attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, Ms. the pursued her dream and enlisted in the United States Air Force. While serving her tenure in the U.S. Air Force, she spent four years instructing AFROTC students at various high schools and universities. She served her country with courage and dedication for 22 ½ years and retired a Senior Master Sergeant.

Betty was determined to always help somebody, so her living was not in vain. After retiring from active duty, she worked thirteen(13) years in the civil service department at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Ms. She had a love for writing, and her passion led her to complete her first novel.

On April 13th, 1975, Betty blessed with a bouncy baby boy, Derrick O'Shay Lampkin. Later she met and married Dwayne Townsend and this union blessed her with a precious gem, Sarah Elizabeth Townsend. Betty Jean was united in holy matrimony on July 27th, 2022, to John W. Gaines of Caledonia, Ms. This union blessed Betty with two more beautiful daughters, Camilla and Cassandra Gaines, and one more son, Jermaine Richards.

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:6-7. Betty was released from her earthly body and departed this life on December 20th, 2023.

Betty Jean leaves behind to treasure her memories: a loving and devoted husband, John W. Gaines of Caedonia, Ms. Six children: Derrick O'Shay (Kimberly) Lampkin of Colorado Springs, CO, Sarah Elizabeth Townsend of Nashville, TN, Camilla Gaines of Birmingham, Al, Cassandra (James) Calmes, and Jermaine Richards all of Boone, North Carolina; grandchildren: Deontre Koch, Isaiah Koch, and Trinity Jean Lampkin all of Colorado Springs, CO, Ibri Richards and Italy Richards of Boone, North Carolina; mother: Edna Mae Lampkin of Midnight Ms.; 17 siblings: Lewis Lampkin, Jr. of Silver City, Ms. Joseph Lampkin of Cincinnati, OH, Benjamin Edward (Linda) Patterson of Vacaville, CA, Jacqueline Yvette White, Leonard (Vera) Lampkin of Cincinnati, OH, Gus Gregory (Patricia) Lampkin of Belzoni, Ms., Renee Yvonne (Rah Rah) Rashad of Maineville, OH, Sophia (Lewis) Brown of Cincinnati, OH, Andy Lampkin of Plano, Tx, Jarriet Darnell (Viveca) White of Saucier, Ms. Eric Stephen (DeVonne) Lampkin, Sr. of Jacksonville, FL, Louis Deon (David) Fields of Belzoni, Ms. Winifred Genean (Anthony) Paige of Flora, Ms., Weona Shamere Smithmeyer of Cincinnati, OH, Regina Patrice Jones of Lithia Springs, GA, Cedric Fitzgerald (Karen) Lampkin, Sr. of Cincinnati, OH, and Karlous DeShun (Cindy) Lampkin, Sr. of Jacksonville FL; one aunt: Asberry Stewart of Cincinnati, OH, and one uncle: Willie Maple of Yazoo City, Ms. A host of very special and loving nieces, nephew, cousins, an friends. Two extremely close friends, Essie Bantzler and Joyce Aitchison.