June 30, 1946 – September 1, 2026

Betty Davis McKee, born Betty Lois Davis, passed away on September 1, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia.

She was born June 30, 1946, in St. Pauls, North Carolina, to John C. and Ernestine K. Davis, the oldest of three children. She graduated from Zeb Vance High School in 1964, Chowan College in 1966 and Campbell University in 1968.

Betty taught English and spent 38 years “molding the minds of America.” Teaching and students were her passion.  As an eighth-grade English teacher at Western Branch Middle School, she exuded Bruin Pride, sponsored the school yearbook and Odyssey of the Mind team, loved attending school wrestling matches and was named Teacher of the Year in 1987. She was a member and past president of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Portsmouth, Virginia chapter.

Outside the classroom, Betty was the kind of person who walked into a room and lit it up. She made people laugh, and she laughed right along with them. She loved her grandchildren fiercely, and found real joy in her cats, a good book, family genealogy and any chance to travel.

Betty had one daughter from her first marriage, Brooke Elizabeth. In 1980, she married Danny L. McKee and became a stepmother to his daughters, Ginger and Amanda. Betty and Danny were married for thirty-six years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Danny L. McKee; her parents, John C. and Ernestine K. Davis; her brother, Willie F. Davis and her stepdaughter, Ginger R. McKee;

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Jonathan Burgess; her grandchildren, Alexander P. Burgess and Madeline E. Burgess; her sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Marty Asycue and her stepdaughter, Amanda L. McKee.

A private family interment will be held at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, where Betty will be laid to rest beside her husband.

Georgia Cremation-Columbus is assisting the family with the arrangements.