Bettye J. Pollard

Bettye Pollard was born in Biloxi, MS on April 27, 1936. She was a committed, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was a longtime member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served in many roles. She enjoyed family, fun, traveling and possessed a strong belief in God. Her devotion to serving others was an essential part of her life and she practiced the gift of giving on a daily basis. Bettye was an active member of the community and devoted over 30 years to the lives of children at Biloxi Recreational Center and Moore Community House of Biloxi. She continuously fostered a deep commitment to make our community a better place both individually and through established relationships. She also served her community by being active in social clubs, parental organizations, and local churches. She truly recognized the value of giving by being generous with her time and talents, which brought light and life to many incredible charitable and community endeavors. She was a founder and active member of the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club which has continued the mission of providing community and outreach activities for youth and families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Lord called her home on May 2, 2019, and she is preceded in death by her parents, John Leonard and Frances C. Burney; sisters: Marguerite Scobba and Leamanda Burney Perkins; brothers: Jerome Shaw and John Leonard Burney Jr. Bettye is survived by her husband of 61 years, James H. Pollard Sr.; children: Paul Pollard, Peter (Jannie) Pollard, and James (Ionie) Pollard Jr.; sister, Geraldine Jackson; 14 grandchildren Nakeia, Terrance (Tiffany) Allen, Keitha McClellan, Latoya Gill, Jasmine Gill, Michael Hanks, Jeremy Wallace, Monica Moore, Lorenzo (Tina) Belk, Vouldanez O. Stewart, Dejuante Bullock, Darius (Nakita) McInnis, Olivia (Joe) Cancel and Jayla Pollard; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and a very devoted friend, Mrs. Jean Belk.