SAVANNAH, Ga. — Our mother, Bettye Ruth Jones Piette, passed away on Aug. 9, 2016, surrounded by her loved ones and family.

She was born on Oct. 22, 1927, in Sylacauga, Alabama, to Ruth Haddon Jones and Charles Lavisca Jones.

She graduated from Sylacauga High School in 1945 and attended the University of Alabama.

While working at the Coosa River Paper Company in Childersburg, Alabama, she met the love of her life, our father, James Martin “Jim” Piette. They married and moved to Savannah in 1950 when Dad took a temporary construction job with Union Bag Paper Company (later Union Camp Corporation). His work with Union Camp took him from Savannah to Franklin, Virginia, where Mom enjoyed raising her family and supporting her husband’s career. Franklin always held a special place in her heart and she cherished the time spent there and the friends she made.

In 1971, Mom and Dad returned to Savannah where Daddy finished out his career as vice chairman of Union Camp.

Mom often spoke of how fortunate she was to have lived such a full life. She had a husband who absolutely adored her for 66 years and she was thrilled to be part of his big adventure. Their marriage was an inspiration not only to our children and us, but also to everyone who knew them. They shared experiences she never thought she could be part of, visited exotic places she never thought she would see, and made life-long friendships.

Ultimately, nothing gave Mama more joy than being with her family. She loved being with her children and grandchildren and was proud of each of them. In addition to our father, she is survived by her children, Jim Piette Jr. (Kathy) of Savannah; Amy Collins (Sam) of Birmingham, Alabama; Molly Justice (Paul) of Athens, Georgia; and Nancy Piette of Savannah.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, James Piette III (Lisa) of San Francisco, California; Matthew Collins of Birmingham; Elizabeth Cerbone (Alex) of Savannah; Sara Collins of Atlanta, Georgia; Anna Justice of Athens; Josh and Katie Sandefur of Savannah; and two brothers, Charles L. Jones, Jr. of Huntsville, Alabama; and Billy Frank Jones of Sylacauga, Alabama.

In addition to her parents, three brothers, Cecil Jones of Warner Robins, Georgia; and Luther Curtis Jones, and Herbert W. Jones of Sylacauga; and one sister, Mary Pounds of Sylacauga, preceded her in death.

In recent years, Mom and Dad have been most fortunate to be surrounded by a team of wonderful caregivers. They have become a part of our family and will always hold a special place in our hearts for the care, joy and laughter they have brought to our parents. These dear people include Terri Sutton, Jill Muller, Chiquita Walker, Jan Laney, Etta Young and Michelle Johnson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. in St James Catholic Church.

Interment will be private.

A reception will follow at 1 p.m. in the Oglethorpe Club, 450 Bull St.

Remembrances may be made to Hospice Savannah or St. James Catholic Church.

Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com.