Betty Jane Brewer

Betty Jane Brewer (90) of Carriere, Mississippi passed away peacefully Friday morning, November 15, 2024.

Betty was born on March 14, 1934 in Culver City California to Isaac and Edna Vinson Buttrey. She was the middle child with an older brother Billy and a baby sister Barbara, who she adored. She grew up in Southern California during a time of war. Her father was in the Navy and was overseas often so she and her siblings were raised mostly by the women of the family. She spoke often of her love for her aunts, her mother’s sisters. It was this love that led her to care for her mother and Aunt Minnie during their later years. Betty was a free spirited, California girl through and through and that didn’t change, even when she married Buddy Rizzuto and moved to New Orleans. Though she was never really a “Southern” girl, she embraced living in the South and the New Orleans culture. That is where she raised her three boys, Mark, Kenny and Dave. Her influence didn’t stop with her boys. It was felt by her step children and neighborhood “girls” who she took under her wings.

Changes in life brought her back to California to the Palm Springs area where her parents lived. She worked as a security guard in a high society, residential community with many Hollywood celebrities, became an excellent marksman with her handgun, outshooting most men and was fearless when she was assigned to climb the giant wind turbines in Yucca Valley. It was during this time that she met and married the love of her life, Tony Brewer. They were married in 1982. After Tony retired early, they bought a motorhome and traveled to visit family across the country. After this adventure, they settled down and bought a home in Yucca Valley, California where they were close to Mark and his family. Tony started driving “big trucks” and Betty went on the road with him to every continental state, Canada and Mexico. She took her knitting, cross word puzzles and a good book on every trip. When she wasn’t on the road, she cared for her ageing parents until they passed away.

They made one last move to Carriere, Mississippi in December 2000 where they were close to Dave and his family and where they lived out the remainder of their lives together. Betty was a young at heart, vivacious, feisty, strong willed, beautiful woman who deeply loved her family, and family didn’t just include blood. She embraced all who “joined” the family as though you were hers. When she loved you, she loved you completely for who you were. Betty was the last of her generation and we are sure she experienced a wonderful family reunion at her passing.

She is survived by her sons Ken Rizzuto (Laura) and David Rizzuto. Thirteen grandchildren. Mark’s children – Chris Breaux, Lisa Davis (Steve), Pam, Amy Stout (Mark), Jacob Ken’s children – Micah, Jason (Hannah), Trevor, Chelsey Wilson (Seth), Natalie Bolen (Andy)David’s children – Danielle Revere (Justin), Nick (Elise), Stephanie Ricks (Kevin)27 great-grandchildren and a niece, Kimberley Brothers and her two daughters.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tony, oldest son Mark, and grandson Riley Smith. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Amanda Ladner and the wonderful, compassionate caregivers at St. Oaks Care Center, Ashley Norris, mom’s hospice nurse from Arden Hospice and her two faithful, angel friends Wendy Fitzgerald and Marilyn Scarabin.

Visitation for Betty will be held on Friday November 22, 2024 at 9AM, followed by the Funeral Service at 10AM at Picayune Funeral Home located at 815 S. Haugh Ave. Picayune, MS 39466.