Betty Leeth Haynes, one of God’s Angels, joined her Heavenly Host when she passed away at her home on the afternoon of Thursday, December 19, after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Cullman where Betty was a member for more than 60 years, including serving as Women’s Missionary Director and Sunday School Director and Teacher. Dr. Rick Lance will officiate, with interment in Holly Pond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the church.
Moss Service Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
Betty Jacqueline Hooten was born in Birmingham on February 16, 1931. Her family moved to Holly Pond when she was a child. Betty met Cal Leeth when she was a dental hygienist at the Bledsoe Clinic in Cullman. Cal and Betty were married for 37 years until his death in 1988. Betty met Earnie Haynes as she directed a wedding where he was the Father of the Bride. Earnie and Betty were married for 33 years until his death in 2023. Betty was the daughter of Marvin and Henrietta Shaw Hooten.
Betty was often characterized as “graceful, classy, and stylish”, and known throughout the Cullman community for her extensive service on boards, charitable organizations, civic organizations and clubs, and for having directed many weddings throughout the years, earning her a title of “the Sergeant” from some of the groomsmen. For her service, Betty earned many accolades and awards, including the Emma Marie Eddleman Citizenship Award, the H.C. Arnold Humanitarian Award, and the Personality of the South Award, to name a few. Perhaps best widely known for her love of pageants, Betty Leeth Haynes was crowned Ms. Senior Cullman County, 1997, and Ms. Senior Alabama, 1997, and ultimately earning a third place runner up in Ms. Senior America, 1997. Betty’s talent competition for Ms. Senior Cullman County, Ms. Senior Alabama, and Ms. Senior America included her recital of the poem “I am a Senior American,” she penned especially for the pageant, and delivered while dressed in a patriot-themed red sequined suit. “I am a Senior American” was ultimately adopted as the Creed for the National Ms. Senior America Organization, where Betty Leeth Haynes was awarded Honorary Ms. Senior America in 2017.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Cal Leeth and husband Earnie Haynes; stepdaughter Lucinda Grissom; sisters, Lorene Hooten Meyer, Jean Hooten Stisher, and Isolo Hooten Taglier; brothers, Lt. Colonel Howard Hooten, Leldon M. Hooten, and Sgt. Bill Hooten; and her beloved Australian Shepherd dog, Pretty Girl.
Survivors include two beloved nieces (daughters), Jamie (Stan) McNabb and Jackie (Bruce) Smalley; grandchildren Leeth (Jennifer) Grissom, Christopher Grissom, and Lauren Grissom; great grandchild, Callie Grissom; and a host of great and grand nieces and nephews; stepdaughters Melody (Ralph) Haynes Basch and Caryl (Winfield) Haynes Moon; grandchildren Nathan (Adrian) Basch, Jared (Alysha) Basch, Trent (Katie) Basch; Trey Moon, Conner (Summer) Moon, Cameron (Heather) Moon; great grandchildren Preslie Basch, Ezra Basch, Hendi Basch, Maisyn Basch, Ellis Basch, Margo Moon, Emery Moon, Mason Moon. She is also survived by special devoted friends Mary York, Jimmy Drake, and Vicki Karolewics.
Memorials may be made to the Holly Pond Cemetery Fund, c/o Judy Jones, 3643 County Road 1650, Holly Pond, AL 35083.
