Carriere, MS: We are sad to announce the passing of Betty Lea (Judd) Laughlin most recently of Carriere, MS, attended to by the caring staff of Saint Oaks and Solace/Arden Hospice. Our mother passed away at age 96 surrounded by her loved ones after living a long and happy life.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband William Lloyd Laughlin in 2017 after 62 yrs. of,marriage, her father Jesse Judd at the young age of 32 by lightning strike, her mother Dolan Rhoda (Buntin) Judd at age 101, her dear aunts Lorene and Deva Buntin who always looked forward to the large family gatherings in Brooklyn, MO during the summers, sisters Phylus Dale (Fred), Dorothy Thomas (Wayne), Beverly Claypool (Jack), a brother Eldon Neil Judd (Sue) and nieces Janice (Dale) Milham and Ellen (Dale) McDermott.
She is survived by her children Rebecca Lestelle (Dennis), Cynthia Jackson (Gil), Mary Katherine McClellan, Susan Needham (Art), Elizabeth Meche (Lonnie), Jenifer Morel (Patrick) and son William Laughlin II (Ida), 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, a niece and many nephews.
Betty was born near Eagleville, MO and spent most of her childhood in rural northwest Missouri before becoming a country school teacher, an employee of Bendix Corp. and TWA, as well as a student of Maryville College before moving to New Orleans with her husband after they met while attending the Central Technical Institute of Kansas City, MO. Betty and Bill raised their children in Arabi while surrounded by a small community of Jaguar parents with many children. They were members of the Gentilly Christian Church and also attended the First Baptist Church of Arabi. She will be greatly missed. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.