Bettye Louise Bass Chew was born on December 10, 1940 in Thomasville, Georgia. She was born to the late Helen Davis Bass Blackwell and Henry Bass, in Thomasville, Georgia and was the ninth child out of ten children. Bettye gained her heavenly wings on April 27, 2026.

Bettye was educated in the Thomasville City Schools, and was a graduate of Douglass High School in 1958. Shortly after graduating from high school, she moved to Panama City, Florida to live with her sister Alma Bass Jones. She met and married the late Donald Worthington Chew in 1959. Born to this union were three children, Gordon, Cheryl, and Donna. She also had a step-son, Dale who preceded her in death. Bettye and Donald were married until 1987.

Bettye accepted the Lord at an early age, and was a member of St. James Primitive Baptist Church in Thomasville. When she moved to Annapolis, Maryland with her husband Donald, she joined First Baptist Church where she was a devoted and active member. Bettye sang in the choir, was a Sunday School teacher, and the Sunday School Superintendent. When she and her daughters moved to Detroit, Michigan she was a member of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, where she worked in the Sunday School department. In recent years, she was a member of New Hope Cathedral in Stockbridge, Georgia where she enjoyed serving on the Mothers Board until her death. During the past year, Bettye would celebrate minor accomplishments by saying, “I did it, thank you God!”

Doing what she loved, Bettye was employed as an administrative assistant until she retired. She attended Rosenwald Community College in Panama City, Florida and graduated from Cortez Business School in Baltimore, Maryland in 1964. Bettye worked at the University of Maryland Coop Extension; Bowie State College (University) in the dean’s office; the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan; St. Francis Family Services also in Detroit, and finally for the City of Detroit until she retired. Bettye was a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., an organization for professional women, and a member of the National Association for Female Executives.

Her steadfast desire to earn her degree never stopped. Bettye attended Bowie State College (University), Wayne State University, and Clayton State University, and this determination was passed along to her children. Bettye was a lifelong learner.

Bettye had a heart for community service. Besides being an active church member, she was also a den-mother to her son’s boy scout troop, a girl scout leader to her daughters Troop 43, a member of the NAACP, and a dedicated volunteer at the Annapolis Arts Festival. She also volunteered at the Anne Arundel Detention Center as an Offender Aide and Restoration Counselor. While residing in Naples, Florida Bettye worked as a proud member of the Democratic Women, and assisted with President Obama’s campaign. She also volunteered at the high school. Because of her commitment to serve others, Bettye was recognized in Who’s Who Among Black Americans in the 1977-1978 edition. She laid a solid foundation to ensure her children were actively engaged in activities and community service.

In addition to community service, Bettye enjoyed the theatre and had minor acting roles in plays. She was an enthusiastic and competitive Scrabble player, and would play several rounds with her friends. In her later years she also enjoyed word search puzzles, watching Walker Texas Ranger and Madea movies, and attending the senior center. She loved attending her church, even when she felt ill. Mom left a legacy of strength, service, loyalty, and her love for God.

Bettye was preceded in death by her daughter Donna Chew-Breeden; brothers Wallace Bass, Warren Bass; sisters Elizabeth Bass Jackson, Alma Bass Jones, Martha Bass Cone, Doris Bass White, and Thelma Bass Duncan.

She leaves to cherish her memories her son Gordon Chew (Carol) of Conyers, Georgia; daughter Cheryl Chew-Render (Nelson) of McDonough, Georgia; two brothers Billy Bass and Robert Bass of Thomasville, Georgia; an adopted sister and niece Sharon Blackwell Pearson (Norris) of Conyers, Georgia; four grandchildren Kajuan Chew of Riverdale, Georgia; Christopher Logan (Kimberly) of Conyers, Georgia; Cyntia Chew of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Haley Render of McDonough, Georgia, and a step-grandson Bryce of Douglasville, Georgia; five great-grandchildren Kadia Chew, Kamari Chew, and Keyorah Chew all of Hampton, Georgia; Abigail Logan and Christopher Logan, Jr. of Conyers, Georgia; a great-great grandson, Kyree Chew of Hampton, Georgia; and a son-in-law Dwayne Breeden of Scofield, Wisconsin. Bettye also leaves to cherish her memories a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Thank you, Lord for letting us keep her this long. Well done Mom and to God be the glory!