Obituary of Betty Gissendanner

Betty Gissendanner, 67, died on February 20, 2019 following a short battle with cancer. Betty loved life, she loved people, and she never met a stranger. She loves her son, Doug (USAF San Antonio, TX) and carried a portion of him with her into eternity. Betty was born and raised in Southeast Alabama. She had 3 different first grade teachers either because of temperament or family moves. She was among the first 22 blacks to integrate Dale County High School and among the first integrated graduating class in 1970. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Nursing (1974). Her graduate degree also in Nursing is from Wichita State University class of 1979. Betty has a large family. Her mother, Jewell Reynolds, had ten children: Dean Savage (deceased); James Williams (deceased); Peggy Taylor, Midland City, AL; John Reynolds (Brenda), Grand Blanc, MI; Ludie Moore, Newton, AL; Carolyn Williams, Midland City, AL; Michael Reynolds (deceased); Fredderick Reynolds (Ubener), Winston-Salem, NC; and Shannon Lemons, Midland City, AL. Her dad had five children: Diane Robertson (Allen), Santa Rosa, FL; Walter Malone (Sylvia, Ozark, AL); Sara Brown, Abbeville, AL; and Marcus Malone. Betty retired in 2006 after a twenty-year career as a small business owner. Betty's State Farm Agency had an intimate impact in the lives of her staff, her many customers, the community, as well as the company. Betty was an advocate for public education, rights of women and children, and the underserved. This passion was expressed in many ways: serving as mentor for Take Stock in Children, meeting with legislators, but most passionately working as an activist in the Democratic Party. She served at local and state levels and worked tirelessly in President Obama's re-election in 2012. Betty was surrounded by many friends called "Betty's Buddies" who made her treatments easier to endure. This includes her lifelong friend Cheril Ann Grubbs, her care assistant, Karen Joseph, and two almost daily bright spots, Cousin April Kincey and her son Devon Joshua who fondly calls her "Nina" as his grandmother, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. From the diagnosis of cancer, throughout treatment, and to the last moment, Betty sincerely appreciated the friends who took the time to share in so many meaningful and special ways. Those acts were powerful and effective during this season of her life; they were true friends. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Edgewater United Methodist Church or to the Charlotte Local Education Foundation (local scholarships only). Viewing will be held on Friday, February 22nd at 10AM at Edgewater United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte with a funeral service to begin at 11AM. Entombment will follow at Charlotte Memorial Cemetery in Punta Gorda with a reception from 1-3PM in the Reception Chapel, 9400 Indian Spring Cemetery Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.