Betty Douglas

The lord Jesus Christ completed preparing a heavenly room for my mother Betty Joann (Atwell) Douglas, aged 85, of Orlando, Florida. She passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. After her long 10 year goodbye, she has finally been released from the ravages of dementia.

Born on April 28, 1940 in Meadowview, Virginia, Betty lived a life marked by constant learning new things and teaching both adults and children. Being the oldest daughter of an Army Air Corp/USAF officer, Betty lived in various locations in the United States (Virginia, New Mexico and Wilmington, Delaware). She even spent a few years in England. When her father was medically retired from the USAF, he moved the family to a new house in Orlando, Florida. Betty has lived within 5 miles of the old Orlando family home for 66 years.

Betty is survived by her 2 sons James C. Douglas Jr USAF Msgt retired (Shirley USAF CMsgt retired) and David Allan Douglas, her dear sister Marie Joyce Boatwright, 3 brothers William Helton (Cindy), George Atwell (Teresa) and James Ronald Atwell (Sabina), 9 grandchildren James Douglas III (Tessa), Angela Michael (John), Jason Douglas, Elizabeth Williams (Kelsey), Suzanne Lancaster (Douglas), Kimberly Douglas, William Douglas(Terin), Arielle and Trevor Douglas; 15 Great-Grandchildren Christopher Douglas; Hannah and Charlotte Michael; Hailey Williams; Cheyenne, Savannah and Liberty Rose Lancaster; Kylee Stanton: Brandon, Ivy Rae, Chase Douglas; Nova and Lyla Aybar; Charleigh and Ryleigh Douglas plus 2 Step-Great Grandchildren Michael and Bryson Moore. Betty also has 4 nieces and 1 nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents William Captain USAF Retired and Anna Mae (Helton) Atwell, Her ex-husband James C. Douglas Sr. brother William Lee Atwell Jr. and son William John Douglas (Susan).

Those who knew Betty will remember her for setting goals and doing what was needed to achieve her goals. While working hard and going to night school, in her 30's she earned and received her high school diploma. She continued to go to night school to increase her knowledge in all requirements needed to become a secretary. Her steadfast devotion to excellence enabled her to rise up through the ranks to become the Executive Secretary (in today's terms Executive Assistant) to Mr. Sterling Mayo the Vice President of National Standard Insurance Company Orlando.

Her secretary and computer skills were in demand during the 1970's microcomputer revolution that fundamentally changed the office environment. Betty's ability to teach the new office technology skills at Mid Florida Tech, ensured all of her adult students were able to perform the new tasks. Many of Betty's students had limited knowledge of the English language. To help communicate with her students, Betty took Spanish classes to demonstrate she was also willing to learn a new language.

She continued to challenge herself by signing up for college courses at the University of Central Florida. In 1994, Betty completed her goal by receiving her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Betty spent her teaching career teaching English at Conway Middle School and Southwest Middle School. She loved teaching English to her 8th grade students and praised J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books) for instilling the desire to read in a new generation.

As a single mother of 3 sons, Betty was constantly working. For 39 years she spent her weekends working as a waitress, (often times her tip money was her sons school lunch money so please remember this when you tip a waitress/waiter.) She worked at Liggett Rexall Drug Store, Ronnie's Restaurant and the Rio Pinar County Club. Betty instilled her work ethic in her children and grandchildren. Her motto was "You have to work for everything you want, nothing is given to you for free". She never gave up or said "why me?

A memorial service will be held on September 30, 2025 at 11:00 am. The service will be at Conway Community Church 3401 South Conway Rd. Orlando, Florida 32812. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association or Dementia Society of America.

Even though Betty worked a lot, enjoyed learning new things and teaching school, her biggest love was her family. All of her children and grandchildren moved back home and spent time living in her dream home with her. She never got upset when red Kool-Aid was spilled on her white carpet. She just got out the cleaning supplies and taught you how to clean it up. She never said no when you asked to stay but once she determined she had helped enough she wasn't afraid to tell you it was time to for you to go. She was the best Mom, Sister, Mother-in-Law and Grandma we could have wished for. We will always keep her in our prayers and our memories will keep her alive in our hearts