Bettie Jean Thomas

Bettie J. Thomas was born on January 12, 1938 in Montgomery, Alabama she was the second child born to the union of David Nathan and Laura Louise Porter. Bettie peacefully departed this earth on Saturday, July 25, 2020, reuniting in heaven with her beloved husband of 36 years, Benny.

In 1940 following the birth of her brother Thomas (Tommy) Porter the family would relocate to Cincinnati, Ohio. Bettie and Tommy would return to Montgomery regularly in the summers where they both learned to read at a very early age at Miss Bell’s Nursery School.  Bettie was always a gifted student with a love for education. Both she and Tommy were straight “A” students at Sands and Washburn Elementary Schools.  Bettie would continue to excel academically at Stowe Junior High School, Old Woodward and Taft High School.  In high school she played several musical instruments and participated in sports. Bettie always a hard worker held part time jobs throughout high school. Bettie was in the first graduating class from Robert A. Taft High School in 1956.Upon graduation she was awarded a scholarship for academic achievement from the Schmidlapp Foundation.  She served as the Taft Alumni Association Recorder for more than 20 years. Bettie enjoyed attending the annual Christmas Party and other Alumni festivities until her health began to fail.

At a very early age Bettie accepted Christ and joined Bethlehem Baptist Church where she remained a loyal member for over 40 years. While at Bethlehem she served on several ministries the Nurses Guild, Courtesy Committee, Missionary Society, Young Matrons and the Young Adult choir just to name a few. In her later years she joined the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and remained faithful until her health prevented her from doing so. Bettie was rarely seen on Sunday’s without her fashionable hat, gloves and coordinated shoes and attire. Well known for her Saturday shopping hobby, ‘Ms. Bettie is always sharp’, family friends would say. 

On December 21, 1973 she married the man of her dreams, Benny (deceased) affectionately known as B.B. There union was blessed with a family of 5 children: Jacqueline, Michael David III, Aaron and Alicia.

Bettie worked at FW Woolworth for several years before deciding to enter nursing school. Bettie obtained her L.P.N. license and went on to obtain other medical certifications. Her nursing career began at General Hospital and later at Bethesda North.  After several years of working in hospitals Bettie joined Cincinnati Public Schools as a Nursing Instructor at Withrow High School and after several years ended her professional career while at Hartwell Elementary School.

Bettie was preceded in death by her husband Benny of 36 years, and her brother David Jr. who died in infancy.  Bettie is survived and will be terribly missed by her 3 children David Porter III, Aaron J. Bland (Enid), Alicia B. Townsend (Tyrone). Bonus children Brenda McMullen (John), Jacqueline Patterson and Michael Thomas. She is also survived by her brother Thomas Porter (Marian), her sisters Mary Porter, Alice Bell, Belinda Larkin and Iretha Porter; 9 grandchildren and many, many great grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews and Special niece Trina Jones (Steve).  God daughters, Johnese Wiley (William) and Carla Carter (Kevin), Paula Daniel and Godson, Elder Raymond Prysock, and adopted grandson Montez Sorrells (JocElyn) and adopted granddaughter, Regina Coleman and a host of family and friends and neighbors from Hampton Drive.

A Tribute to our Mother

By Aaron J. Bland

Mothers are the one we consider rare.

Mothers are the one which none can compare.

Mother’s somehow always seem to fuss.

You are the Mother who fussed at us.

Good Mothers are hard to find.

Good Mothers are those that are sweet, warm and kind.

We’re sure there are Mothers just as sweet.

To us no others can even compete.

God made Mothers to be strong.

God made Mothers to correct us when we’re wrong.

We’re sure there are Mothers as special as you are.

But to us you’re the best by far.

To us as a Mother your rate amongst the few.

Because no Mother has been a Mother quite like you.

So, by now we hope everyone can see,

We loved you Mom we’re elated that you are free

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