Martha Elizabeth “Betty” Starnes Erwin died surrounded by loved ones in her daughter’s home in Samson, AL, on January 8, 2018.  She has resided with Nancy Herndon for the last five years.  Betty was 91. 

Mrs. Erwin was born in Minor, AL on June 27, 1926 to John Thomas and Lethia Starnes.  She married Henry “Red” Erwin in 1944.  She was a loving and supportive wife to Red, while he endured many painful operations after his war injuries.  They established a home in Hueytown, later moved to Ensley, and completed their married life in Leeds, AL.  They spent many happy days making their yard beautiful and attending reunions with Red’s Medal of Honor recipient friends and their spouses.

Betty was a stay-at-home mom/wife, whose main job included having meals on the table daily at 5:30 p.m., making sure the kids and the house were clean, and well-mannered, and transporting the children to their activities.  She also managed to visit her own mother daily, and assisted her in being able to live in her own home until she was ninety.  After Red’s stroke, Betty was his constant companion and lovingly cared for his daily needs.  She loved to bake and always offered cake or cookies to anyone who came to visit. 

Mrs. Erwin is survived by her four children, Nancy (Don) Herndon, Samson, AL, Hank (Sheila) Erwin, Birmingham, AL, Karen (Donnie) Erwin-Brown, West Point, GA, and Betty Cobb, Prattville, AL; eight grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry “Red” Erwin; her great-grandson, Thomas Royster; her parents; her sisters, Madelon Ray Harkins, Mary Louise Lavies, and her brother, Clyde Starnes.

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