Betty Ellen Chesser Robertson

Mrs. Betty Ellen Chesser Robertson, 82, died Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at her home in Oxford, MS. The funeral will be Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at New Prospect Baptist Church with Rev. Buster Wilson, Rev. Dan Robertson, and Rev. Jerry East officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Waller Funeral Home, and again on Thursday beginning at 10:00 A.M. at New Prospect. Burial will follow the service in Kingdom Cemetery.

Betty was born on July 25, 1941, in Starkville, MS, to the late Clemmie Seitz and Odie Mark Chesser. The youngest of seven daughters, she and her sisters were as close as could be, and remained best friends into adulthood. She attended Starkville High School, and began working as a telephone operator in Starkville after graduating. In 1964, Betty married her husband, Ross, beginning what would become nearly 60 years of marriage to the love of her life. For over 22 years, she worked in child nutrition for Lafayette School System, lovingly looking after the students as if they were her own. Following her retirement, Betty and Ross traveled as often as possible to the mountains to see the leaves change in the fall. A member of New Prospect Baptist Church, she taught children’s Sunday school and enjoyed accompanying the church on trips with the women’s ministry. She was especially passionate about the work and fellowship she found within the women’s ministry, always giving back twice the love and blessings that she received. She enjoyed game nights with friends, playing card games and Rook, and loved music and dancing.

As a wife and mother, Betty stood out amongst all others. She had a bright and vivacious personality, and her favorite thing in the world was to make other’s laugh. As the baby of her family, she felt it was her responsibility to keep her sister’s young by always keeping them smiling and laughing. Her hilarious jokes and infectious laugh lit up the entire room and won over the hearts of many. She carried the same joyous attitude into motherhood, nurturing the same beautiful spirit within her children. When her children were young, they knew that if Dad said no, they could run straight to mom for help, and Ross stood no chance against Betty’s charm. She was an ever-present and devoted mother, never missing a special moment in their lives, big or small. Betty fully supported her children in all areas of their lives, offering steadfast love and compassion. Betty modeled best for them how to find the fun and joy in life while also soaking in life’s most precious moments.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Doris Carmichael, Mary Alice Berry, Johnnie Olivia Wells, Dorothy Patton, Martha Reed, and Nellie Sue Reed.

Betty is survived by her husband, James Ross Robertson of Oxford, MS; her daughter, Anita Ruth Eaves and her husband, Ricky, of Toccopola, MS; sons, James Michael Robertson and his wife, Rhonda, of Thaxton, MS and Bryan Douglas Robertson and his wife, Kari, of Canton, GA; thirteen grandchildren, Madison, Stuart, Bethany, Jo Jo, Lincoln, P.K., Canaan, Eli, Si, Zan, Solomon, Leti, and Lena; as well as fourteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church Nursery Renovations, 823 MS-334, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.