Mrs. Betty Lou Howard, 78, of Chincoteague Island, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 4, 2022. Born on May 28, 1944, in Greenbackville, Betty was the eldest child and beloved only daughter of the late Clayton and Margaret (Mumford) Brittingham. She attended Atlantic High School until her marriage on Aug. 13, 1960, to her husband, Carey Howard (now deceased).
After marrying, she and her husband moved to Chincoteague where they raised their family and made their home for the rest of their lives. They were married for 61 years. As a young wife, Betty Lou made a profession of faith in Christ and became a member of Union Baptist Church.
For many years she made her living as a hairdresser, working first at Headquarters Salon and later at Best Little Hair House. She was an avid reader and loved to cook, often preparing enormous meals for family and friends. The joy of her life was her children and grandchildren. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than spending time with them, attending all of their school, church, and extracurricular activities, babysitting whenever needed, and being their biggest advocate and fan. She was a blessing at imparting life wisdom and sharing her confidence in the Lord. It would be impossible to pay back all the good she has shown to others throughout her life.
Betty Lou is survived by her daughter, Susan (Birch) Pertsch, and her husband, Charlie, of Chincoteague; a daughter-in-law, Vanessa East, of McKenzie Bridge, Ore.; grandchildren, Carter, Hannah, and Christian Birch, and Owen Young; a brother, Michael Brittintgham, and his wife, Jeanne, of Parsonsburg, Md.; sister-in-law, Paula Brittingham, of Laurel, Del.; brother-in-law, Terry Howard, and his wife, Judy, of Chincoteague; and many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves to cherish her memory her many, many precious friends, her sweet dog, Vera, and her grumpy cat, Poosy.
In addition to her husband and parents, Betty Lou was predeceased by her son, Shaney Howard; her brother, Larry (Butch) Brittingham; son-in-law, Gregory Birch; two brothers-in-law, Mitchell and Darrell Howard; sister-in-law, Josephine Howard; nephew, Scott Howard; and her mother and father-in-law, Mary and William Lee Howard.
Funeral Services are entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home Inc., of Chincoteague Island. Viewing will be held Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home. Funeral service will be Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Island Baptist Church, and will be officiated by Pastor Philip Bennicoff and Pastor Kevin Eley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Benevolence Fund of Island Baptist Church, 3380 Willow St., Chincoteague Island, VA 23336.
