Betty Sue Schultz

Betty Sue Schultz, age 98 and resident of Gulfport, MS passed away on her birthday, October 20, 2024.

Betty was born on the family farm October 20, 1926, in Ellisville, MS. She was the fourth child born to Melvin Clevious Parker and Sarah “Ethel” Sanders Parker. They called her “Baby” until she was four years old, then she named herself after one of her favorite cousins.

All of her childhood memories of growing up on a farm were happy ones. Her daddy and brothers worked hard in the lumber industry and on the farm. Her momma and sister worked hard too. Cooking on a wood stove, gardening and canning, clothes washing in the creek and Charlotte helping with her younger siblings and sewing. They were very fun loving. Her daddy would sing and play the fiddle while neighbors and friends would accompany him with guitars, banjos and harmonicas during their many barn dances.

Betty attended Ellisville Public Schools and graduated from Jones County Junior College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

After graduation, she moved to Gulfport to be with her sister Charlotte Parker. Betty worked for Hancock Bank for five years: and during this time, she met her husband Kenneth Dean Cress. He was stationed at Keesler AFB, and they soon married. In 1953 they moved to California where they both worked in the aerospace industry.

Betty and Ken had three children: Steffan Frederick Cress, Eric Stewart Cress and Karen Charlotte Cress Gouin. They raised them in Chatsworth, CA. Steff and Eric were Boy Scouts, and Ken was their scout leader. They had many adventures and fond memories of camping out in Yellowstone National Forest. Boys will be boys, and they kept mom busy with their many neighborhood scrapes, cuts and bruises. She had a second job as an ambulance driver taking Eric to the ER.

Betty and Ken divorced in the late 1960’s. In 1968, Betty and the children moved to Gulfport to be close to her mother, father and sister. Ken moved to Tennessee. Soon after they moved to Gulfport, Hurricane Camille devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was a very difficult time for us. With the help of family and community she and her family made it through the hardships.

Betty then met her second husband, Eugene “Geno” Schultz. He came to the coast from Illinois as a State Farm Claims Adjuster to help after Camille. After a lengthy courtship, they married in December of 1978. Both Betty and Geno were active members of the First United Methodist Church of Gulfport. Geno cooked for the many different events that the church held, and he was a very good cook. Betty, her sister Charlotte and church members would work right beside him making the meals and Betty and Charlotte delivered meals for the homebound of the Feed My Sheep Ministry.

With their marriage, we were fortunate to gain new brothers and sisters: Chris and Sue Schultz and their children, Dennis and Pam Schultz and their children, Russell (deceased) and Kathy and their two daughters, Thomas (deceased) and Sarah Schultz Waby and children.

Betty was very loving and kind to all who knew her, especially her family. She was very fun loving and loved to socialize with friends from church. She was quick-witted, smiled and was always laughing. She was most happy when she was with her family.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Geno, her parents, and siblings Charlotte Hazel Parker; Charlie Parker and wife Ivalee and nephew Charlie Wayne Parker; Thomas Watson Parker and wife Kathryn; and Stepson Russell Schultz.

She is survived by her children, Steffan Frederick Cress and wife Judy; Eric Stewart Cress and wife Pam; daughter Karen Charlotte Cress Gouin and husband Robert; nieces Ann Parker and Jane Parker and great nephew Barry Brewer and wife Andi; stepchildren Chris Schultz and wife Sue; Dennis Schultz and wife Pam; and Sarah Waby and all of their children.

She also leaves to cherish her grandchildren: Jason Robert Gouin and wife Heather; Rebecca Nicole Gouin Whittet and husband Joey; Nathan Stewart Cress and wife Christina; as well as great-grandchildren Grant Whittet IV, Kallie Whittet, Cooper Gouin, Callan Gouin and Zoey and Caleb Cress.

Friends are invited to join the family for visitation and services on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, MS.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m., with the Funeral Service to follow at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Dementia Society of America.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family. Please sign the online guestbook, and share memories & photos at www.riemannfamily.com