Pastor Betty Jean Overton Watkins Atchison was welcomed to her heavenly home on Tuesday December 15,2020. Betty Jean Overton was born to the late Joshua and Jane Overton in Richmond Virginia on September 18,1943. She was the youngest of seven children. Betty grew up in Richmond Virginia. She attended Quioccasin Elementary, Vandervall Elementary, Virginia Randolph High School, and Virginia Union University. Betty met and fell in love with the late James Andrew Watkins. They were united in marriage on February 9, 1969 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Washington DC. They were happily married until he was welcomed to his heavenly home on August 8,1987. Out of their union they had their one and only child Renee Watkins (Thomas). Betty was a member of the New Macedonia Baptist Church located in Washington DC under the leadership of the late great Dr. Robert L Walls Sr. On January 7, 1995 Betty was united in marriage to Alphonzo N Atchison Sr. They were married until his death on December 9, 2020. Betty had a lifelong career in the Federal Government working with numerous agencies throughout her career. Betty served as the Administrative Officer for the Environmental Fate and Effects Division in the pesticides program at EPA for at least a decade before she retired. She was exceptional in her job; she was in a position of significant trust and responsibility-a woman of honor and integrity. In 1997, Betty was diagnosed with a sickness unto death. According to her testimony, she was planning her own funeral when a co-worker brought her a copy of the mini-book, By Jesus’ 39 Stripes, We Were Healed by Walt Straughan. Upon reading it, she realized that she “didn’t have to die.” Through the years, Pastor Betty distributed copies of that mini-book to anyone whom she felt would be helped by it. Betty joined Life Changing Church in Temple Hills Maryland in 1999 under the leadership of Bishop Herbert H Jackson Jr. She was ordained as Pastor of the Life Changing Healing Church in Mechanicsville MD on October 28, 2007 by Bishop Herbert H Jackson Jr. Betty traveled to many Camp Meetings, Healing Services, and Revivals while fighting a terminal illness as she was declaring her healing. She faithfully travelled with Barbara A Holton and Evelyn Melvin to see Norvell Hays, Kenneth Hagin and many others who taught on Healing. “You do not have to die” was a saying that stuck with her until her death. Her commitment to the healing Ministry involved spreading the word through spiritual warfare workshops, retreats, worship services and classes. During this pandemic, she became the sponsor of virtual worship services on Sunday evenings which touched lives across the country. Betty Overton Watkins Atchison was a loving and devoted mother, wife, aunt, cousin and friend to many people across the country and most notably Maryland and Virginia. She dedicated her life to service and giving to others and was a social justice warrior for the less fortunate and those in need. She will be greatly missed for her faith, kindness and devotion to her family and friends. She was so at ease with making anyone including strangers feel welcome and supported them in their time of need. Even though she is physically gone her impact on others will last forever. Betty was preceded in death by her siblings, Joshua Overton Jr, Ursula O. Brooks, Willie Belle Overton Reed, Moses Overton and Georgie O Smith, and her stepson, Vaughn Atchison. Betty had a special bond and relationship with Laura Woodland and Evelyn Melvin and many others she talked to and confided in. Betty is survived by her one and only daughter, Renee Watkins Thomas (Clarence Jr); her grandsons, Jajuan Watkins (her baby boop) and Jailin Thomas (her baby boop boop); and her only living sister, Audrey Mae Overton, of Richmond, VA. She is also survived by her step children, Alphonzo Atchison Jr, Veronica Stanley(Keith Sr), Timothy Atchison Sr; her step grandchildren, Christopher Atchison, Christian Atchison, Nicholas Atchison, Timothy Atchison Jr, Keith Stanley Jr, Tyrell Atchison, and Jasmine Boone; her step great grandson, Christopher Atchison II, and her life-long, childhood friend, Charlene Taylor and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. And we can’t forget about her grand dog, Leonard Thomas, whom she loved dearly. We will love and cherish the memories we had with you on Earth, our newest Angel! Visitation/viewing will be from 9:00 am to 10:30 am; service will begin at 10:30 am until 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd., Waldorf, MD. Interment to follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.The service will be live-streamed at
https://youtu.be/MGfsMAbW5g0
PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCE AND BE SAFE AT ALL TIMES!!
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