Bettye Jane Allen Kerby

Bettye Jane Allen Kerby, 87, died peacefully in Columbus on Monday, November 20, 2017. Funeral services will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 25. Visitation will be at the church at 12:30 p.m.

Bettye Jane was born on April 22, 1930, in West Point to the late James Riddell Allen and Corrinne Young Allen. She graduated from Gulfport High School in 1948 and proudly chose Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus to continue her education. In 1952 she earned a degree in Commercial Art and Art Education from the “W.” The same year she married Mike Kerby, a lifelong resident of Columbus and a local CPA. Their marriage spanned 56 years till Mike’s death in 2009.

Bettye Jane came from a long line of educators. Her uncle, Bonnard Young, was the president of Jones County Junior College; another uncle, Erle Young, was head of the Science Department at JCJC; and her mother, Corrinne Young Allen, was principal of the Long Beach, MS, elementary school. Bettye Jane merged this heritage with her immense creativity to design an art program for the Columbus Public Schools from 1952-1954. Her work included training teachers how to help students express themselves through art. She also wrote a series of art education programs for Mississippi Educational Television and taught cake design and decorating as part of the “W’s” public adult education. From 1964-1975 she served as a volunteer art teacher at Franklin Academy, the elementary school attended by her husband and her three sons.

Her passion for education manifested itself in other ways. She was President of the Franklin Academy PTA, directed Franklin’s Sesquicentennial in 1971, and chaired the school art show for three years. Bettye Jane had a special place in her heart for the “W.” She was MUW Alumnae Association Treasurer in 1985, Alumnae Board Chairman of the Faculty Alumnae Liaison Committee for three years, Special Gifts Chairman and a participant in numerous committees for College Board dinners and Legislative receptions. She and Mike were members of the “W” Century Club, Honorary Roll of Excellency, MUW Tomorrow Team and Clock Tower Club. They also co-chaired the Book and Author Committee in 1990. Besides sponsoring international students, Bettye Jane was the Jester Social Club Mom for numerous years.

A member of the First Presbyterian Church PCUS from 1952-1983, Bettye Jane was Director of Youth Activities (1953), Bible School Director (1954), and Arts and Crafts Director for many years. She taught Sunday school, was Treasurer and President of the Women of the Church, and chaired the World Day of Prayer in 1973. Her artwork graced not only the First Presbyterian Church bulletins but also those of several other churches with which she had relationships. For four years she was editor and cartoonist of the monthly church newsletter and co-directed a newspaper workshop for the Women of St. Andrew Presbytery. She coordinated the church’s sesquicentennial celebration, including designing and editing the Sesquicentennial Historical Collection Book. Her calligraphy can still be found today in several of the church’s gift books and historical archives. The church named her a Deacon, the first woman to serve in such a role.

She later joined Mike’s church, St. Paul’s Episcopal, where she lent her creative hand to the needlepoint design of several banners. Every Christmas season, she was an enthusiastic and active participant in the Advent Wreath making. She loved sharing greenery from her yard and giving fellow parishioners tips on how to make their wreaths. She also designed kneeling cushions for the First Methodist Church in Columbus.

From 1956-1966, Bettye Jane was an active member of Columbus Junior Auxiliary. She held the roles of Treasurer, Vice President, President and Parliamentarian. During her presidential year, the Columbus organization received the Outstanding Chapter award. She was Pageant Ball set designer for four years and created the program cover for seven years. Beyond her active years she was President of the Columbus JA Associates and President of the Crown and Gavel Presidents’ Club.

Bettye Jane further showed her love for Columbus as Secretary of the Columbus-Lowndes Cancer Crusade, designer of the first Columbus Historic Walking-Driving Tour Map and Chairman of the Professional Division for the local United Way. She designed the logo for the Columbus Sesquicentennial in 1970. She also designed and directed the stitchery for the Lowndes County Library Children’s Story Hour Rug. Every year at Christmastime, Bettye Jane and Mike would pack Christmas boxes for the needy at the Salvation Army.

Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jim Allen Jr. She is survived by her three sons: Michael (Katherine) and Allen (Lisa) of Columbus and Young of Starkville. Also left to cherish her memories are her grandchildren Eli Kerby of Falls Church, VA; Katherine Maer Kerby of Tuscaloosa, AL; Mary Douglass and Allie Kerby of Columbus. Bettye Jane also deeply loved Mary Golden, a dear family friend for 34 years. Mary brought Bettye Jane much joy, comfort and companionship every day in the last few years of Bettye Jane’s life.

Pallbearers will be Jim Allen III, Paul Howell, Eli Kerby, Robert McClanahan, Doug Phillips and Nate Weatherspoon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either of the following:
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 318 College Street, Columbus, MS 39701, or

The W Fund, MUW Foundation,1100 College Street MUW 1618, Columbus, MS 39701