Elizabeth "Betty" Catherine Hutcheson Badeaux's Obituary
Elizabeth “Betty” Catherine Hutcheson Badeaux was born on August 13, 1936. She shared almost 52 happy years with her dear husband, James Nelson Badeaux, whom she knew since they were 6 yrs old. Both were born in Charity Hospital in New Orleans LA and both grew up in Madisonville. Betty was one of six children born to Francis Earl Hutcheson of Shipman, MS and Margery Roberts of Ramsay, LA.
Betty is survived by only son, Father James Elliott Badeaux of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough NJ; by a younger brother, William G. Hutcheson (Sandra) and a younger sister, Jane Stephanie Hutcheson Johnston (Joe); and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her only daughter, Elizabeth Eileen Badeaux Myers (Robert) of Baton Rouge, LA on Sept 13, 2019: her oldest sister, Margaret F. Hutcheson Norsworthy; her older brother, Ernest Josephus Hutcheson of Ponchatoula, LA; and a younger sister, Patsy Ann Hutcheson Strahan.
Betty and James were equally proud of their children and their accomplishments throughout their educational achievements, Elizabeth’s having been a National Merit Finalist and Jim’s having been a National Merit runner-up. Both were accomplished musicians.
While growing up in Madisonville, both Betty and Jim (and the Hutcheson children) attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School under the supervision of Rev. Paul B. Freeland.
When Betty was in the 7th grade at Madisonville Jr. High School, she learned to crochet and that became a great contribution to others when she started crocheting baby blankets for many new mothers in the church she attended and in other churches and donated many as gifts to friends.
Betty and Jim rode on a school bus to attend Covington High School. After graduation, she went to Southeastern and James joined the marines. About 10 yrs later, they met again in Sunday School at the Covington Presbyterian Church and were married in November 1965!
After graduation from Southeastern, Betty returned to her Alma Mater to teach English for almost 41 yrs and sponsored the Sr. Class for 22 yrs! She worked under five different principals throughout the years. Many memorable and happy moments were spent in the classroom. She and her husband, Jim, spent many hours working in the concession stand on Friday night while the two children were active band members from the jr. high school throughout their days at Covington High. Betty was given the distinct honor of being the outstanding high school teacher for St. Tammany Par in 1994 and the runner-up outstanding teaching in 1995!
There is hardly a week that passes when Betty had not met one of her former students who recognized her after all those years and she recognized many of them. “What a great feeling it was for the former students to recognize me!” She even had a former student who sent a hand-crafted Christmas card every year after graduation and a signed book he had written and dedicated to her!
Upon Betty's retirement from her long teaching career at Covington High, her Alma Mater, she turned some of her attention to tracing her family roots—the Badeaux's, the Hutcheson's in GA, the Davenports, the Roberts, the Cochran's in GA, and the Newbill's. Today she is still in contact with many of the Hutcheson descendants in AL and GA.
Not only was Betty active in her teaching career but also, she was an active member in the Covington Presbyterian Church since 1958, where she became re-acquainted with Jim and were married in the same church on Nov 1965 by Rev. Charles E. von Rosenberg! Both taught Sunday School, Bible School, both served as deacons and elders at different times. In 2001, Betty and Jim were the sole caretakers of the physical complex of this church. During that time, Betty served 3 years as deacon and 12 yrs as elder, having maintained the position of worship chair for 11of the 12 yrs.
During all this time, Betty was asked to be Historian of the Women of the Church, which she gladly accepted and she and Jim traced the membership for the Covington Presbyterian Church from 1898 to 2004 when they completed their task. To complement this, they researched the Past Files of the St. Tammany Farmer and presented this binder of info from 1865 - 1975.
Before Covington Presbyterian Church held its 150th anniversary, Betty and James presented weekly "tidbits" of important events through the life of the church from 1848 to 1998 to the Lamplighter, the monthly newsletter published by the church. Since 2001, Betty has assisted in folding the monthly newsletter to help the secretary. Not only did Betty served in all these positions, but she also served as the Prayer Requests Coordinator, sending out bi-weekly reports and updates for 87 members and friends for at least the past 4 years.
Seven years ago, Betty was the first to be recognized for her outstanding service to Covington Presbyterian and received the Wallace Carr Award, so named for a retired Presbyterian member who became the Pastor Emeritus for the church. She shared this honor with another member.
Betty was definitely proud of her contribution to her service at Covington Presbyterian and volunteered to "meet and greet" everyone who entered the doors, members and visitors alike.
Jim and Betty lived in the same location for over 50 years and had seen many changes to the Covington area. Both were true servants of God. I pray that God has used me as a "Channel of Blessing
No floral donations, please. Make you contributions to the Covington Presbyterian Church or to the Madisonville Presbyterian Church. May you always remember 1 Corinthians 13 and the old hymn, “Be Not Dismayed Whatev'er Be tide! God will take care of you!” May God's blessings and peace follow you all the days of your life!
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Covington Presbyterian Church, 222 Jefferson Avenue, Covington, LA on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W 21st Avenue, Covington, LA from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and then again on Thursday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the services in Theodore Dendinger Cemetery, Madisonville, LA.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign the online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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