Betty Ethridge Katsaboulas

Betty Ethridge Katsaboulas, 77, of Brandon, MS passed away Friday October 18, 2019 at St. Dominic/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson, MS.

Betty was a native of the Lauderdale County area. She was born to the late Mark Dee and Bonnie Ree Ethridge. She was part of a large family and was blessed with seven siblings. She graduated from Collinsville High School where she excelled in academics and sports.

After high school Betty attended Hinds Community College where she earned an Associates Degree. She had a desire to pursue nursing at this time but ultimately decided to put that dream on hold. Instead, Betty went to work, and began a career with Bell South. She started as a switchboard operator, eventually moved into management, and spent years working on some of the phone company’s most advanced technology of the time. She was a proud member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and retired in 1991.

During her time with Bell South, Betty also continued her educational pursuits. She attended night school at Mississippi College where she received a BS degree in Economics and her MBA degree.

With a 28 year career behind her, she decided to pursue a life-long dream — the dream of becoming a nurse.

She again studied at Mississippi College where she excelled in class, earned her BSN degree and went on to begin her second career. She began working at Baptist Health Systems and also spent time at many other Jackson area hospitals. Betty found her specialty in caring for cancer patients while working in Oncology at St. Dominic. It was at this time that she went to work for Jackson Oncology Associates and it was here that she spent the remainder of her nursing career. Betty took great pride in her duties as a nurse. She worked very closely with her fellow nurses and the doctors they assisted to ensure the highest quality care for their patients. She also went out of her way to support each of her patient’s family members. With nursing, she truly found her calling and touched the lives of many along the way. Even after retirement, she continued to nurse friends and family, advising them through both minor and major medical conditions.

In life, Betty experienced much professional and academic success. She was smart and driven. More importantly though, she was a genuine, caring and loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Niece and Friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by Tony Katsaboulas, her parents Mark Dee and Bonnie Ree Ethridge, and brothers Mark and George Ethridge.

Survivors include Children – Donna Marshall and husband Tommy of Brandon, MS, Chuck Harrison and wife Alexei of Ridgeland, MS, Pete Katsaboulas and wife Tandy of Brandon, MS; Grandchildren – Allyson Walker, Chance Brown, Tyler Trainor and Jonah Katsaboulas; 7 great grandchildren; Siblings – Jean Vinson of Chattahoochee, FL, JoAnn Collins of Union, MS, Joyce Ward of York, AL, Danny Ethridge and wife Linda of Union, MS, Jimmy Ethridge and wife Connie of Collinsville, MS; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

There will be a private, family “celebration of life” at a later date.

The family graciously request that any memorials be made in Betty Katsaboulas' honor to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd, Ridgeland, MS 39047.

Ott & Lee Funeral Home

Brandon, MS

601-824-6018