Betty J. Wofford

Betty's Life Reflections:

Betty Nance Wofford was born on August 26,1949 at Methodist Hospital in Gary, Indiana. She was the oldest daughter of ten children born to John and Gracie Nance.

Betty excepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Betty graduated from Froebel High School in 1967. She furthered her education at Gary Business College located off Ridge road and received a certificate in Key Punch Operator. She joined the United States Air Force on July 23, 1971 and was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Guam and Omaha, Nebraska. Betty was a 70250 Airman First Class in the Administrative field while stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, she was discharged in May 1973. While stationed in Omaha she met and married Robert Henry Wofford Sr. on December 30, 1972 they were later divorced in 1988. Betty was the mother to three children Michelle Wofford Eckwood and two sons, Robert Henry Jr., and Dennis William Wofford.

Betty worked for Michigan City Correctional Center for about four years before moving to Virginia. After moving to Virginia she started working for Medium Security Lorton Reformatory of DC Corrections in February 1, 1988 as a Senior Corrections Officer/ Counselor/ Control Center Operator for ten years.  Betty left Lorton when they closed in 1997. Most of the Corrections Officers were transferred to DC Jail but Betty chose to moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. She found employment at Solectron as a Shipping Clerk for 5 years before returning to the Washington, DC area. After relocating she worked for Smithsonian Museum for 4 years before returning to work as a Correctional Officer at DC Jail in 2004. She was appointed Chief Shop Steward of Department of Correction/ Fraternal Order of Police. She excelled to the rank of Sergeant before retiring due to health issues in October 2017.  As a diabetic, Betty struggled and became sick with Kidney Failure which resulted on her going on Dialysis. In July of 2019 she decided to return to Michigan City, Indiana to live close to her daughter Michelle.  

 Betty Jo Wofford departed this life on October 9, 2021 at Life Care of Michigan City. She was preceded in death by both her parents, John and Gracie Nance, her son, Robert Wofford Jr.one brother, Billy D. Nance Sr. and her partner, JoAnn Graham. 

A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Coleman and Hicks Chapel 101 S. Karwick Rd. Michigan City, Indiana 46360. Viewing from 9-11 with service starting at 11 am with Bishop Joel Bennett to do Eulogy. 

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Emanuel) Eckwood, one son, Dennis Wofford Sr.,all of Michigan City, IN; and Special Son Robert Weis of Washington, DC; 3 brothers: James Nance of Fredricksburg, VA; Johnny (MaryAnn) Nance of Merrillville, IN; and Kenneth (Sheila) Nance of Atlanta, Ga; 5 Sisters, Patricia (John) Smith of Suitland, MD; Mary (Romalice) Brown of New Orleans, LA; Juanita (Steve) of Gatewood Charlotte, NC; Sonya (Alton) Herndon Oceanside, CA; and Sheila (Donald) Green of Clinton, MD; 9 Grandchildren: Shantae Wofford, LaToya Eckwood,Brandon Eckwood, and Tayler Eckwood, Dennis Wofford Jr., Josiah Wofford, Olivia Wofford,Trevor Wofford and Zayden Wofford,11 Eleven great grand- children :Jeremiah, Braylon, Bri’Azia, Vionney,TaeShaun, BreShaun, Jailah, Zy’ir, Marcus, Taden, Gionney, a special niece, Tonya Andrews, her best friend, Patricia Parker, special friends, Donna Brown and Robert Jefferson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to mourn her. 

As we let her to rest , she will be remembered by her family and friends as a mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. Betty was a lifelong and avid Chicago Bears, and Cubs fan.

The family of Betty Nance Wofford gratefully  acknowledge with appreciation , your comforting expressions of sympathy rendered through phone calls, flowers,prayers and every act of kindness during this period of bereavement.

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