Betty Jean Dills

December 11, 1972 - March 27, 2017

Betty Jean Dills was born on December 11, 1972 in Greenville, Mississippi. On March 27, 2017, God called her number and sent his angels to say, “Well done my child. You have fought a good fight. Welcome home my child.” Betty was educated in the Greenville, Mississippi school system and graduated from T.L. Weston High School and later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Betty was a fun-loving woman who loved everyone. She was generous and loving and would give you the shirt off of her back if she thought you needed it. She was a very focused person who set goals and worked hard to achieve them. She had many dreams that she managed to fulfill. Betty owned a soul food restaurant in Milwaukee. She was known for her Pig’s Feet and her delicious Sweet Potato Pies. She loved everybody’s child as if he was her own whether it was a grandchild, niece, or nephew. Because of her love for children and teaching, Betty set her goal on obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She achieved her goal upon graduation from MATC College in Milwaukee. Later, she opened three daycare centers. She also opened a daycare after moving to Evansville several years later. Betty joined Memorial Baptist Church under Rev. Adrian M. Brooks, Sr. where she enjoyed attending until her health prevented her from doing so. In her quiet time, she enjoyed reading books, magazines and her bible. Betty was preceded in death by her father: Joseph Franklin, Sr.; grandfather: Harvey Lewis; sister: Pamela Lewis; godmother: Patricia Singletary; aunts: Lucille Boyd, Daisy Cole. She leaves behind to cherish her loving memory, mother: Queen Lewis of Evansville; grandmother: Mattie Lewis of Evansville; seven sons: Elarkian Hardison, Sr., Horactio Merrill, Donald Franklin, Jr., Dontrell Franklin, Jerminal Taylor, Jamile Hardison, Elarkian Hardison, Jr.; three daughters: Destiny Franklin, Shayvoicia Franklin, Damia Hardison; sisters & brothers: Barbara Eseco (J.D.), Diana Glasper, Nathaniel Lewis (Tabitha) all of Evansville, Linda Lewis of Milwaukee, WI, Angie Cooper (Lawrence)of Ft. Pierce FL, , Betty Franklin Moorer (Elijah) of Montgomery, AL, Joseph Franklin,Jr., James Franklin both of Greenville, MS; god sisters: Tammy Lord, Tanya Singletary both of Greenville, MS, Sheila Graham of Washington, DC; god daughters: Shameeka Collins, Deshaunnel Camble both of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Demetra Camble of Terre Haute, IN; 12 grandchildren: Honesty Jones, Amir Merrill, Kaniah Wilford, Hanaya Wilford, Nikita Franklin, Isaiah Franklin, Dontrell Franklin, Jr., My’Leesiah Franklin, Avion Franklin, Bella B. Rockmore, Dugniqio Franklin, Horactio Franklin; 5 nieces: Latisha Lewis, Queenesha Lewis, Angie Jackson, Kearia Jackson, Kenya Jackson; best friend/sister/mother: Sarah Rogers; brother-in-law: Maurice Franklin; former husband: Donald Franklin, Sr.; mother-in-law: Bertha Adams (Edward); friends: Freddie Parks, Wayne Wilson, Tracy Nelson, Mike Dills; daughters-in-law: Alexandria Jones, Tasha Brown and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins and friends.