Betty Jean Vanderford

Betty Jean Vanderford, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be 9am – 11am Friday, December 22, 2023, at Puckett Baptist Church with the service at 11am.  Burial will follow in Puckett Cemetery.

Betty Jean Norton Vanderford was born on July 27, 1939, in Copiah County, Mississippi. She married Rufus Lee Vanderford, husband of 69 years, on July 27, 1954.

Betty Jean was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was a member of Puckett Baptist Church and enjoyed camping, gardening, cooking, canning, and puzzles. Rufus and Betty were self-employed. Betty Jean served as the bookkeeper for their business, Vanderford Plumbing for 52 years.

She was survived by her husband, Rufus Lee Vanderford; sons, Kenneth James Vanderford (Paula) and Rufus Edward “Rudy” Vanderford (Trish); and daughter, Cindy Gay Hutson (Mac); son-in-law, Larry McWilliams; brother, Thomas Norton; sisters, Lorraine Payne and Jesse Means; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Henry and Missouri Cook Norton; daughter, Kathy Ann McWilliams; son, Tommy Lee Vanderford and daughter-in-law, Rhonda James Vanderford; brothers, Grady Norton and J.E. Norton; and a sister, Christine Bacon.