Betty V. Whitney

Betty was born to the late Thomas A. Vaughan and Julia M. Ingram on December 3, 1932 in Norfolk, Virginia. Betty attended Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia and later moved to Suffolk, Virginia where she joined East End Baptist Church and also began her studies at South Hampton School of Nursing in 1966. She graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse and began her nursing career at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1968, caring for patients who were reluctant to have a black nurse bathe or even touch them. With prayer and determination to succeed, some of those obstacles were overcome. In 1981, Betty retired from the Naval Hospital after sustaining an on-the-job injury.

As a faithful member of East End Baptist Church (EEBC), Betty served on many ministries. She became a Deaconess on the Deaconess Board where she became an Emeritus Member in 2014. Betty was one of the founding partners of the Heritage Investors Club. She was also affiliated with many ministries including; Tuesday Morning Bible Study, Noonday Prayer Ministry, Health Ministry, Sunday School, Seniors In Praise Choir, Funeral Repast Ministry, Senior Adult Ministry, Silver Sneakers Ministry, Sisters Who Care Ministry, Media Library Ministry, Golden Girls Ministry, Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) and she served on several Mission trips abroad. She was also a recipient of Leaders of Leaders Award and was honored by EEBC in 2006 with 50 years of membership making her just shy of 70 years of membership at the time of her passing. One of the things that Betty would say when testifying about the goodness of the Lord was “You may know my song, but you don’t know my story”.

Betty’s social affiliations included LaMercett Nurse Club and The Imperial Crescent Club.

Betty is predeceased by her parents; Thomas A. Vaughan and Julia M. Ingram, her husband; Robert S. Whitney, Sr., her sister; Louise Y. Vaughan Cherry, her brothers; Bennie Vaughan and Thomas Wayne Vaughan, her sons; Michael L. Chamblis and Danny S. Chamblis, her daughter; Brenda G. Pitt; her grandsons; Brandon S. Barnes, Darryl Knight and Whitley Thomas and Former husband and father of her children; William “Jaybyrd” Chamblis.

Betty leaves to cherish her memory, her sisters; Vivian V. James of Charlotte, NC, Roberta V. Barnes of Cheverly, MD, Armenthia Hoggard of Conway, NC, Theresa Gatling of Elon, NC and Faye L. Vaughan of Charlotte, NC, her brothers; Leonard Vaughan (Sharon) of Conway, NC, Carl Vaughan (Theresa) of Stafford, VA and Kenneth Vaughan of Conway NC.; her son Perry “Rusty” Chambliss, her bonus children Brenda Broadax (Bonhuer) of Decatur, GA and Robert S. Whitney, Jr. of Portsmouth, VA, her grandchildren; Baron S. Barnes (Wendy) of Portsmouth VA, Michelleda Outlaw (Michael) of Suffolk, VA, Britten A. Weaver (Tosha) of Suffolk VA, Adam Chamblis of Phoenix, Arizona, Raylon Pitt (Monique) of Suffolk VA, Nicholas Chamblis of Portsmouth, VA, Alonzo Thomas of Macon, GA and Tia Dorsey of Covington, GA; eighteen great-grandchildren, eighteen great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and bonus daughters Barbara Hill, Barbara Jordan, Mary Bess and Tamara McBride.

A celebration of her remarkable life is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at East End Baptist Church. Betty will be laid to rest at Carver Memorial Cemetery, where she will be honored and remembered. Professional services have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.