Betty Joyce Mewborn's Obituary
A Life Well Lived
Betty Joyce Mewborn, 85, a beacon of love and kindness, went home to be with our Lord on February 14, 2024. Her life, marked by boundless love and dedication to others, leaves an indelible legacy of compassion and service.
Born on October 6th, 1938, in Houston, TX, to Bennie Mae Brazill and Otis Sephus, Betty’s journey began with humble beginnings that instilled in her a profound understanding of the value of family and community. As the oldest of eight children, she embraced her role as a nurturing leader from an early age.
Betty, a proud mother of 10 children and grandmother to a multitude of grandchildren and great-grandchildren spanning five generations, not only opened her home but also played a significant role in raising some of her siblings, foster children, nieces, nephews, and anyone in need of her nurturing care. Despite the bustling household, Betty knew she had more love to go around. Her nurturing embrace knew no bounds, offering solace, guidance, and unconditional love to those in need.
Betty's life was a testament to the power of love in action.
Growing up in Tacoma, many of us knew when we came down the alley and turned the knob, the door was always open. Her home was a haven of warmth and laughter, providing not only shelter from the outside world but a hug, a listening ear, and a warm plate to fill our bellies and our souls. From fried pork chops to savory dressing, from decadent lemon pound cake to her renowned gumbo (She really loved you if you knew when the gumbo was being made!), Betty threw down in the kitchen, and her kitchen was a place of magic and love. And she had a rule: no one left her home hungry.
Yet, it wasn't just the food that filled hearts; it was Betty's genuine care and kindness. Whether she was preparing a meal with meticulous attention or offering words of encouragement with gentle sincerity, Betty possessed a remarkable gift for uplifting those around her and ensuring they felt valued and cherished.
Following her diagnosis of breast cancer in 1997, Betty cultivated an unwavering determination to enhance the lives of cancer patients and their families through education and support. Viewing her diagnosis as a divine calling, she embraced it as an opportunity to turn her pain into purpose, considering it a gift from God. In her own words, she expressed, "I would give nothing for my journey now, for God has given me a new lease on life!"
Betty is the Founder and Executive Director of Sisters of Hope, Brothers of Faith, and Children of Strength Cancer Support Group. Her commitment to the cancer community extended far beyond her organization's borders. Betty volunteered with Reach to Recovery and the Carol Milgard Breast Center, held positions on the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society and the Community Breast Cancer Awareness Center, and contributed her expertise to the Harmony Hill Cancer Retreat and Wellness Center. Betty’s dedication as an advocate for Black and Brown Women diagnosed with breast cancer has left a lasting impact. Thanks to her efforts, the Carol Milgard Breast Center continues to provide free mammograms to women in our community today. At the time of her passing, Betty was a breast cancer survivor of 26 years.
Additionally, Betty was an active member of Sisters Network Inc., a prominent national organization dedicated to supporting African American breast cancer survivors. Through her tireless advocacy, Betty embodied resilience, compassion, and a profound dedication to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
Betty’s faith was evident as a lifelong member of Shiloh Baptist Church which began under the leadership of her uncle, Reverend Earnest S. Brazill. Throughout her years at Shiloh, she has actively participated in numerous capacities, including serving as Minister of Music, Deaconess, and President of the Shiloh Mission Society. Betty lived an extraordinary life of service to the Tacoma community and beyond at a national level.
Her Legacy of Love lives on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, siblings, foster children, nieces, nephews and so many more who were blessed to know her. Betty's steadfast support and boundless affection nurtured them into the remarkable individuals they are today, each carrying forward her legacy of compassion and generosity.
For Betty, birthdays were not merely just another day on the calendar; they were celebrated with a personalized special version of Happy Birthday! You knew it wasn’t officially your birthday until she called you to sing.
She loved so deeply and had an amazing way of making everyone who came in contact with her feel loved, cherished, special, and her favorite. To this day, some of us still believe they are her (only) favorite and you can’t tell them otherwise. That is the spirit of Betty.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Bennie Mae Brazill and Otis Sephus; brother Percy Brazier. She leaves her Legacy of Love to honor and celebrate her memory: daughters, Brenda Fields, Columbus, OH; Jacqueline Fields, Tacoma, WA; Candance (Michael) Smalls, Locust Grove, GA; Constance (Harry) Snead, Tacoma, WA; Robbie Jones, Tacoma, WA; Robbin Welch, Tacoma, WA; Dimple Blake, Tacoma, WA; Linda Hych, Tacoma, WA. Sons: Jeffery Fields, Tacoma, WA; Richard (Jackie) Welch, Tacoma, WA. Sisters: Debby Thomas, Tacoma, WA; Gwen (Tony) Pounds, Dublin, GA. Brothers: Martin (Nona) Brazier, Tyler, TX; Deryl Slaughter, Tacoma, WA; Terry (Lesa) Slaughter, Tacoma, WA; Craig (Joy) Cobb, Tacoma, WA. Along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, foster children, and friends.
Let us take solace in the knowledge that Betty's legacy of love will endure for generations to come. Though she may no longer walk among us, her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched and the memories she leaves behind.
In celebrating Betty's remarkable life, let us also embrace the values she held dear: love without limits, kindness without expectation, and service without reservation. In doing so, we honor not only her memory but also the essence of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning.
May her memory be a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Rest in God's arms, dear Betty, knowing that your love continues to shine brightly in our hearts.
Viewing
Thursday, February 29, 2024, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Mountain View Funeral Home
4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Celebration of Life - Legacy of Love
Friday, March 1, 2024, 11:00 AM
Shiloh Baptist Church
1211 South I St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Please wear pink to honor her.
*Celebration of Life will be livestreamed on Shiloh Baptist Church’s Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation to help with the cost of burial/service:
Mail: Robin L Welch, 2531 S J St. Tacoma, WA 98405
Online: https://everloved.com/life-of/betty-mewborn/
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her life, Betty received numerous awards and recognition for her endless work and commitment of service to the Tacoma and Breast Cancer communities including the Key to the City of Tacoma and the declaration of July 30th as Betty J Mewborn Day, as well as:
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• American Cancer Society - Courage Award – 1998-1999
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• Bon Marche-Seattle – Most Inspiring Breast Cancer Survivors Award - 2000
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• Shiloh Baptist Church – Woman of the Year - 2002
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• National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund – Survivor/Advocacy Award – 2004
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• NAACP-Tacoma - Community Leadership Award – 2010
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• Peace Community Center – Hilltop Heroes Award - 2011
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• Ford Motor Company - Freedom Sisters Legacy Award - 2012
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• Kingdom Servant Ministries – Kingdom & Community Trailblazer Award - 2012
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• Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award – 2013
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• Hilltopia Matriarch Award - 2022
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
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