Endearing Legacy: Beloved Quincy Woman, Foster Parent to Over 200, Passes Away
Tribute to a Foster Hero: Qunicy Bids Farewell to Woman Who Opened Her Heart to Over 200 Children
A tribute to Betty Mae Reed Figgers, resident of Quincy, Florida, who passed away on November 10, 2023.
On November 25, 1937, in the small town of Colquitt in Georgia, a resilient soul named Betty Mae Reed began her extraordinary journey. Affectionately known as “Momma” by her children, Betty Mae’s story is not just a tale of personal triumph but a testament to the enduring power of love, determination, compassion, and resilience.
Betty Mae’s early years were marked by hardship. She grew up as a sharecropper on a plantation farm in South Georgia and was forced to face the challenges of life head-on. At the tender age of nine, Betty Mae had to drop out of school to step into the role of a primary caregiver for her siblings after her mother’s untimely transition. The weight of responsibility did not deter her; instead, it became the foundation on which her resilience and nurturing spirit were forged and would be passed on.
Betty Mae found her perfect partner in Nathan Figgers Senior, to whom she was married for fifty-seven years. The couple shared an unwavering commitment to family. The Figgers’ became foster parents to over 200 children who found solace and care under their roof, a testament to their boundless love for those in need.
A dedicated employee at the National Linen Corporation in Tallahassee, Florida, Betty Mae had an unwavering work ethic and was devoted to her family. Her husband’s assurance that she would “never need to work again” allowed her to focus on the love and security she shared with her family.
With a passion for baking and sewing, Bettie Mae embarked on a journey that led to the creation of Sewing on Demand, a small business in Quincy, Florida. Her hands brought warmth to the community, stitching not only fabrics but also bonds that endured the test of time.
Amongst the many people’s lives that Betty Mae impacted, perhaps no one was more affected than Freddie Figgers. At just two days old, Freddie was abandoned by his birth mother in a dumpster. Despite having fostered over 200 children and being well into their fifties, Bettie Mae and Nathan had no hesitation in adopting the baby.
Freddie’s story, from a neglected infant to the founder of a multimillion-dollar telecom company, is a testament to Betty Mae’s transformative influence. From making clothes for Freddie until the age of 16 to providing him with a space to explore his passion for technology, Betty Mae shaped the man who would rise above adversity and build a successful business.
Betty Mae leaves behind sisters Mary Murray, Missionary Mary Stafford, Abigail Wright, Ardella Miller, Mary Johnson, Jennifer Sutton, Gladys Reed, and her brother Jeffery Reed. Together, they form a tapestry of love and support that defines Betty Mae’s life.
As we bid farewell to Betty Mae Reed Figgers on November 10, 2023, we remember not only her life but also those of her siblings who have passed before her – two children, Michael Figgers, Sr. and Olivia Figgers; three sisters, Joann Reed, Annie Brown, and Deloris Jackson; and two brothers, Eugene Reed and Joseph Reed. They await her in the celestial embrace, united in eternity.
The last legacy and impact of Betty Mae’s life will carry on in the lessons she imparted – that love conquers hardship and compassion can change the course of a life. In the tapestry of life, Betty Mae Reed Figgers’ thread, interwoven with the threads of her departed and living siblings, will forever be woven an indelible mark of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of a woman who transformed adversity into triumph.
