Ms. Betty Ruth Ellington

In Loving Memory of Betty Ruth Tucker (Bettye) was born in Columbia, Louisiana to Buck and Angelena (nee Collins) Tucker on June 6, 1944. Both parents preceded her in death. Her parents left Louisiana and moved to Inkster Michigan and during this time her father secured employment with The Ford Motor Company. As did so many others to the promise of a better life working in the booming Auto industry of the 50s 60s and 70s. Later the family relocated to Detroit, and she graduated from Central High School on Detroit’s west side. Bettye earned her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at Wayne State University. In 1960 she met Fredrick Ellington whom she married after graduating high school. In 1963, on her nineteenth birthday, she gave birth to her only son Darryl Ellington. In 1965 Bettye was employed at AT&T, formally Michigan Bell, as a customer service representative. In 1967 she took a position at MichCon, now DTE Energy, in Customer Service where she found her niche. During the span of her 31- year career she earned several promotions and held numerous managerial positions. While at MichCon, Bettye made friends that she would remain close with throughout her life. Early into her retirement she was invited to “look in” on her grandson (Darryl II) as he was attending Stevenson Elementary School in Southfield Michigan. During the visit one of his teachers noticed how well she interacted with the students and suggested she might be interested in becoming a substitute teacher. Thus began a ten-year stint substitute teaching in the Southfield Public Schools. She quickly became a favorite with many teachers, several of whom would request her specifically to handle their classes. It must have been quite an experience the first time “the substitute teacher” walked in and it’s your grandmother. One can only imagine. Bettye was an excellent cook. She enjoyed baking and preparing meals for her family and friends. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, word games and attending the Blue Flames Retiree meetings. Bettye enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and abroad with friends and family. She especially enjoyed cruising vacations. She often recounted experiencing exotic locations like Mexico, and various Caribbean locations. Perhaps her greatest joy was “doing” for her family and friends. Her generosity was always on display not just financially but giving her time to help others, be it visiting the sick and shut in or helping a family member through a tough time. She was a long-standing member of Redford Church of Christ. On occasion, (understatement) she enjoyed going to the casino. She had a very generous spirit. Bettye was a strong person, and she battled the residual effects from the stroke she suffered in 2014. As her condition declined, Bettye suffered a second stroke and was hospitalized several times, succumbing to her illness. Bettye touched everyone she met and she leaves the following to cherish her memory: Son, Darryl Ellington, daughter-in-law Kelly Ellington, (3) grandchildren Darryl Ellington II, Haley Ellington, Sydney Hawkins-Ellington, (1) great-grandson Hayes Ellington, (2) sisters Aminah Rashid (preceded her in death) and Arleen Dawson, (1) brother Michael Tucker, (5) nieces Muneerah, Salimah, Anjail (preceded her in death) Latrece, Jasmine. (3) nephews Yusuf, Jerome, Raymond and a host of cousins and close friends.

Ms. Betty Ruth Ellington

June 6, 1944 - May 3, 2024