Betty Jean Housman

Betty Jean Willis Housman passed away on March 27, 2022, at her home in Tucker, following a 3-month battle with cancer. She was born in Atlanta on September 18, 1974 to Mary and Robert Willis, Jr. She spent much of her childhood with her grandparents June and Robert Sr. at their home in Avondale Estates, graduating from Clarkston High School in 1993 and later from DeKalb Technical College. She grew up with a wonderful group of friends, including Steve Housman, whom she eventually fell in love with and married in 1999. Her teen years were full of concerts, weekends at a friend’s lake house, and youth trips with friends from Annistown Road Baptist Church and First Baptist Avondale Estates.

After she and Steve married, they loved to travel and made many trips to Helen, GA for Oktoberfest and out west to San Francisco. She was an avid Dawgs fan, and more often than not sported a UGA hat or sweatshirt. She loved all things related to Wizard of Oz, as shown by her vast collection. Her beautiful Christmas tree went up early every year, adorned with Hallmark ornaments, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers. She loved poetry and also composed some, including an original tribute to her beloved Mama Jean. Even when Betty became sick with CIDP several years ago, she never lost her love for sending birthday cards, Christmas cards, and thank you notes. You always knew the holiday season had begun when the Housman’s card arrived in the mail. She loved cats and had many over the years, including her final companion Buffy who never left her side during the last months of her illness.

Betty is predeceased by her father, Robert Willis Jr., her grandfather, Robert Willis Sr., her in-laws, Jean and Walden Housman, and her aunt Janet Barlow. She is survived by her beloved husband Steve Housman, brother Robert Willis and his daughters Sarah and Kate, mother Mary Purnell (Joe), grandmother June Willis, half-brothers David, Andrew and Bill, stepmother Becki Willis, brothers-in-law Art Housman (Cynthia) and Glover Housman, aunts Carol Holmes and Rosemary Morgan, uncle Brad Morgan, aunt Cara Chestnut, many cousins and a host of friends who will miss her dearly.

Betty’s service will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Avondale Estates, 47 Covington Road, Avondale Estates, GA. The family will receive friends from 11:30 to 1:00 PM and the service will begin at 1:00. Reverend Jonathan Porter will officiate.