Betty June Newby

Betty June Newby, 99, of Harrington, Delaware, passed away peacefully at home on January 24, 2025. She was born on June 16, 1925, in Port Washington, Long Island, NY, to William and Harriet Davis who predeceased her. Betty was the oldest of 5 children, William Davis, Edie Goodwin, Paul Davis, and Harvey Davis; all predeceased her. 

Betty was the only one of her siblings to attend college. She attended Howard University where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. 

Betty enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She worked in a lamp factory painting lamps. She also worked as a librarian on the Book Mobile and worked at the Institute of Fine Arts until she met and married her husband Samuel Newby, Jr. on September 5, 1949. From this union they had three children: Paula Tavsanli, Pamela Allen, and Samuel Newby III. 

Betty loved her family. She took great pride in how she looked as well as how her home was kept. Everything was matched to perfection. She liked to critique others too! She would let you know if you weren’t “on point”. 

Betty always had a desire to learn about God. Growing up she was the only one in her family to attend church. She mentioned how she enjoyed the singing at the Baptist church. She became a part of the Baptist Young People’s Union. However, Betty was not satisfied with the Baptist teachings. One day she met Jehovah’s Witnesses and they studied the Bible with her. Her questions were answered and she later got baptized in April 1960. At the time, she was pregnant with her son Samuel, and he acquired the name “Double Dunk”. 

Betty had a great love of Jehovah God. She shared these truths with her children and her family. She never missed her meetings or the ministry which she really enjoyed. Betty would walk or ride for hours with the sisters as the territory was very large. 

Betty was a very studious person and she put forth great effort in studying and researching for her comments for the meetings, which she enjoyed giving. She became well-known for her comments- as they could be long.

Betty remained faithful until she succumbed to Alzheimer’s and dementia. She looks forward to the resurrection here on earth when she will be renewed. No more sickness or the ravages of old age. 

She leaves to mourn: her daughter, Paula Tavsanli and her husband Ender Tavsanli; her son Samuel Newby and his wife Adrienne; her 7 grandchildren: Khyran Boyd and his wife Amy, Kelley Johnson and her husband Robert, William Tavsanli, Grace Tavsanli, Shawn Newby, Tasha Moore, and Samuel Newby IV and his wife Tamika; 7 great grandchildren: McKenzie Johnson, Christopher Moore, Kimberly Moore, Kristen Walton, Jeremy A. Newby, Jennah Newby, and Samia Newby; 1 great-great grandchild: Kasey Gregory; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and dear friends.

The family would like to express a sincere “thank-you” to the Compassionate Care Hospice Team and all other friends and neighbors who had a part in Mom’s care: sitting with her, sending flowers, cards, visits, food, and your prayers of encouragement. 

Two times of Visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025: one from 2-4pm and the second from 5-7pm in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St. Milford, DE 19963. A Service in Memorial of Betty will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 509 Airport Rd, Milford, DE 19963.