Betty J. Bynum

Ms. Betty Jean Bynum, at the blessed age of 86, passed away peacefully at home with her family on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Betty was born to Dora Jane Douglas and John Lewter on April 8, 1937, in Apex, North Carolina. Her birth mother passed away in 1938. Betty was raised by Connie Hayes, who served as a surrogate mother and her father, John Lewter. She attended public schools in Apex, North Carolina and Norfolk, Virginia. After completing her education, Betty worked as a short order cook at the Trailway Bus Station from 1967 to 1969. In 1969, she began her employment at W. T. Grant as a short order cook until 1977 and worked at the Norfolk Navy Base as a short order cook until she retired in 1990. Betty loved spending time with her family and cooking for them. She hosted all holiday gatherings at her home where food was plentiful, and a lot of love was displayed. Throughout her early years, she enjoyed fishing, playing cards and going out dancing. She loved watching the Steve Harvey Show daily, bowling with her husband, John, until her health started to decline, and talking daily on the telephone with her best friend, Ms. Chris (Christine Blakley). She attended Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia and was a member of the Eastern Star. Betty was married to James Willis Jackson from 1955 to 1975. They had seven children: Calvin Lewter, James Jackson Jr., Donnell Jackson, Angela Sessoms, Valarie Adams, Dana Green, and Timothy Mark Jackson. She was a committed housewife and loving mother to her children. Also, she served as a surrogate mother and grandmother to many others. She was married to John Bynum for thirty-one years. He passed away in 2013. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, John Bynum, mother, Dora Jane Douglas, surrogate mother, Connie Hayes, father, John Lewter, daughters, Valarie Adams and Angela Sessoms and sons, Calvin Lewter and Donnell Jackson. Betty leaves to cherish her loving memories: a daughter, Dana Jackson Green, Chesapeake, Virginia, and two sons, James W. Jackson Jr. (Betty) Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Timothy Mark Jackson (Felisicia) Chesapeake, Virginia; Ms. Christine Blakley, her best friend for fifty-five (55) years; two daughters-in-law, Iris Jackson, Portsmouth, Virginia and Monique Lewter, Greenville, North Carolina, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives.

Betty J. Bynum

April 8, 1937 - May 14, 2023