AMERICUS — Betty Deriso Kindred Pope passed peacefully at home on May 29, 2019. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, at First United Methodist Church in Americus, Georgia, followed by a graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at The John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the campus of South Georgia Technical College.

Pallbearers will be John Argo, Jesse Carson, James Murphy, all of Americus, and her nephews, Jim Subers, John Subers, and Jay Subers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Epworth Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church.

Betty was the daughter of Jimmy and Doris Deriso and was born on Sept. 24, 1933, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was raised in Miami, Fla., and was a graduate of Miami Senior High School. She was a member of the class of 1954, at the University of Miami (UM) in Coral Gables, Fla. During her time there, she was a member of Chi Omega sorority where she served a year as president of her chapter. She was named Poinciana Queen, Ibis Queen, and Miss Tempo while at UM. She graduated with a bachelor of business administration. Following graduation, she married Kermit Guy Kindred and had two daughters, Kerri and Kelli Kindred. In 1973, she married John Marion Pope and moved to Americus where she remained for the rest of her life and is known for her civic activities and generosity.

Through the years, Betty volunteered for many Habitat for Humanity builds and was a contributor to both Habitat and the Fuller Center. Her interest in education led her to endow multiple scholarships in the Americus community. She particularly enjoyed meeting the recipients and following their progress and successes.

Betty was among one of the original members of Jimmy Carter’s Peanut Brigade during his presidential campaigns. She helped found the Carter Center in Atlanta and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) in Americus where she served on the Board of Trustees until achieving emeritus status. In addition, she was on the Board of Trustees at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) where she served a term as chairman of the Foundation Board. Betty earned emeritus status as a Trustee at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) as well. She was on the Board of Trustees at Sumter Bank and Trust from 1997 to 2004. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees for Magnolia Manor where she achieved emeritus status. Betty was on the Plains Historical Preservation Board and was a member of the Americus Sumter Historical Trust. Additionally, she was appointed by Gov. Zell Miller to serve on the Georgia Council for the Arts. Betty was an honorary member of the Junior Service League in Americus, and helped start the local Arthritis Support Group.

Among numerous award recognitions, Betty received the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving Outstanding Service Award. In 1993, she was selected as a Gracious Lady of Georgia and the Americus Times-Recorder Humanitarian of the Year. Betty received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1998, and was the Magnolia Manor Good Samaritan Award recipient in 2004. In addition, Betty was named to the City of Americus Walk of Fame at the Rylander Theatre in 2006. The local Boy Scouts selected her as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2009. Her proudest moment was possibly in 2015, when she was awarded an honorary doctorate from GSW earning her the title of Doctor of Public Service.

Betty was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Epworth Sunday School Class, and the Ellis Lanier Circle.

During her life, Betty loved to travel and was fortunate enough to see much of the world. Alongside her husband, John, she built and decorated several cabins in North Georgia and a cabin in Ellaville. She was also an artist and enjoyed painting with watercolors. Her greatest love, though, was her family. She particularly enjoyed spending time and playing games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be sorely missed.

Survivors include her daughters: Kerri Kindred Post of Americus and Kelli Kindred Phillips (David) of Miami, Fla.,  and Nelson, of New Zealand; her grandchildren: Shannon Post (Evan Mascagni), Devin Post-Tolsma (Leanne), J.D. Post (Katie Morrow), and Victoria Phillips (Shayne Muir); great-grandchildren: Emrys and Maren Post-Tolsma; and her sister Patricia Deriso Winter (Jim) of Americus; many cherished nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (www.rosalynncarter.org/support/) or to Magnolia Manor League of the Good Samaritan (www.magnoliamanor.com/donate/).

You may sign the online guestbook at www.greghancockfuneralchapel.com.

Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.