Patricia Derry Betts

Patricia Derry Betts “Pat”, 81, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, at Orchid Cove Nursing Home in Lake Placid, Florida. Pat was born in Norfolk, VA, to the late Clarence and Frances Stonell Betts.  She resided in Norfolk until moving to Chincoteague, VA at the age of 16. After graduating from Chincoteague High School, Pat moved to Washington, D.C., where she was employed by the FBI. She later lived in Virginia Beach, VA, Naugatuck, CT and finally making Lakeland , FL her home. Her love of children led her to Karen Siegel Academy for the severely disabled children from where she retired. 

At a young age Pat was quite accomplished at crocheting and at the age of five she was featured in The Virginia Pilot. Pat began dance at a young age and discovered she had a natural talent for ballet. At the age of 12, she sometimes substituted for her absent instructor. She was also a talented artist as well as a veracious reader. 

Pat is survived by her four children, Brian Burgess (Dawn) of Cheyenne, WY; Paul Burgess (Trisha) of Temperanceville, VA; John McColley (Tiffany) of Babson Park, FL and Debbie Abbey of Riverview, FL; grandchildren Reagan and Ethan Burgess, Lauren Hall (Jackson), Zachary and Cameron Abbey, Colby and Tristin McColley, Albree Johnson, Gracie and Graden Tempone, and Rylee Robinson, as well as two great-grandchildren, Layla Hall and  Elizabeth Costello. Her sister, Deborah Betts Bender (Lou), and her nephews, Rick (Mandy), Sean (Lindsay) Betts, and Ronnie Malone (Shawn), as well as several great nieces and nephews. 

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Hubert Betts and his wife Joan Carol Barr Betts, and sister Pamela Theresa Malone and her husband Ronald Harvey Malone. 

Pat leaves behind a legacy of much laughter and love.  

A Celebration of Life is tentatively scheduled on August 17, 2024, at 11:00. At Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 26405 Horsey Road, Temperanceville, VA 23442

Services entrusted to Salyer’s Funeral Home, Inc. on Chincoteague, Va 

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to

Wounded Warriors https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

and

Native American Children’s Fund https://www.nacfok.org/make-a-donation-to-the-nacf

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Derry Betts, please visit our floral store.