Betty Lucille Wilder Looney

On December 29, 2025, Mrs. Betty Lucille Wilder Looney, 97, of Bowman, wife of 38 years to the late Jimmy Leroy Looney, Jr., reached her arms up to heaven and passed thru the pearly gates into her heavenly home while surrounded by her family at Brown Rehabilitation Center.

Mrs. Looney was born in Greenwood, SC on August 19, 1928, daughter of the late Clarence Leonard Wilder and Ruby Jane Anderson Wilder. She was a teacher having retired from Headstart and a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children: Michael “Skip” (Sherryl) Partain of Bowman, Leonard "PeeWee" (Emily) Partain of Abbeville, SC, Melvene (Alan) Martin of Royston, and Johnny (Bobbie Sue) Partain of Elberton; grandchildren: Tammy (the late Terry) Dalton, Ben (Gina) Partain, Lauren (Michael “Blue”) Manley, Andrea Garcia, Stephen (Kim) Martin, Terry (Mimi) Martin, Kerry (Dena) Partain, and Jeremy (Jennifer) Partain; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Juanita Scruton, Julian (Joann) Wilder, Virginia Richey, Magdalene Harris, and David Wilder; several inherited grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as a multitude nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Jefferson Speer Partain; and siblings: Rebecca Vickery, Stella Wilson, Ima Jean Raines, and Melether Fleming.

The family is at the residence of Tammy Dalton, 171 E. Railroad Street, Bowman, and will receive friends on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 2:00-2:45p.m. at Victory Baptist Church. Funeral services, officiated by the Revs. Sean Baughman and Tim Adams, will follow at 3:00p.m. Graveside services, officiated by the Rev. Phillip Garrett, will follow in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in her memory to Victory Baptist Church, 2434 Bowman Highway, Dewy Rose, GA 30634, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Betty Lucille Wilder Looney.