Betty Blair Bellis

Betty Lou Blair entered this world by way of Lawndale, California, arriving on December 7, 1924, welcomed by her parents Parker and Viola Brown Blair. She eventually crossed paths with John William “Bill” Bellis, marrying him on February 27, 1943. Their union lasted 71 years until his death on April 3, 2014.

For a time they lived in Grand Prairie, Texas before making their way to Savannah, Tennessee where they owned and operated Bellis Botel, an establishment located in the Pickwick area, known for its fried catfish and wonderful hushpuppies. Betty’s homemade pies were also in demand there and the mile-high meringue they featured just made them that much more delicious. Together Betty and Bill operated the restaurant for 43 years before selling it, much to the dismay of their customers.

Betty’s talents were many, encompassing far more than cooking and baking. She loved to recite poetry and was often called upon to entertain folks with one of the many she could readily recall. When asked, she never said no. She also excelled at “bobber kicking” a feat that required balance, flexibility and speed (since it was performed while wearing a dress, as was the custom in the 50s). The pull chains for the restaurant lights featured fishing bobbers tied to the ends; Betty could stand flat-footed and kick the bobber without ever revealing anything.

As Bill and Betty aged they continued traveling, driving to Alaska each year to go salmon fishing. Betty was a free spirit, a truly happy person with a zest for life and a quick wit and mischievous nature that kept her family constantly amused. Her faith manifested itself through her membership at Hopewell Baptist Church and through her work with the Savannah Chapter of the Gideons Auxiliary International. She also supported the Jackie Gean Shelter for Women, mentoring the young women who passed through those doors, and volunteered at one of the local nursing homes. Betty loved many things in this world, from fishing and traveling to flowers and friends, but her greatest love was reserved for her God and her family.

Betty’s final days were not easy ones, but she did not complain or question why. She was always asking about someone else, inquiring about their health or an event in their lives. Her pleasant attitude, her constant smile, and her cooperative spirit made her a wonderful patient. Her suffering ended on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at the age of 90 years, 9 months and 27 days.

She leaves to rejoice in her life, and mourn her passing, her three children, Rita Bellis Abrams Chancy and her husband, Jerry, of Savannah, Tennessee, Donna Bellis Sinclair and her husband, Sam, of Martin, Tennessee, and Johnny Bellis and his wife, Diane, of Savannah, Tennessee, as well as her grandchildren, Diana Abrams Barker and her husband, Jay, Lindy Abrams Alexander, Melanie Abrams Burkholder and her husband, Shawn, Samuel Louis Sinclair, Jr. and his wife, Chris, Melissa Sinclair Blackwell Scates and her husband, Cory, John Thomas Sinclair and his wife, Amanda, Benjamin Bellis Sinclair and his wife, Leslie, Stephanie Bellis Warner and her husband, Charles, William Hunter Bellis, and Caden Tucker Bellis. Betty also leaves her great-grandchildren, Christen Barker, Ashley Barker Davis, Nicholas Barker, Mark Alexander, Miles Alexander, Bellis Alexander May, Cache Burkholder, Cheney Burkholder, Cailee Sinclair, Carson Sinclair, Savannah Blackwell, Jamison Blackwell, MollyBeth Blackwell, Alexander Sinclair, Emily Grace Sinclair, Kaitlyn Sinclair, Annie Sinclair, Abigail Sinclair, Lincoln Sinclair, Lily Beth Sinclair, Mary Kate Sinclair, Grant Sinclair, twins John Grady Sinclair and Caroline Sinclair, McKinley Warner, Meredith Warner, and Madden Warner, and five great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by a daughter, Jean Lillian Bellis who was Johnny's twin that only lived for 36 hours, a grandson, Keith Abrams, a great-grandchild, Owen Riley Sinclair, a great-great grandchild, Erin Cabler, and her two brothers and two sisters.