WAYCROSS — Mrs. Betty Cribb Overstreet, 89, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at the Baptist Village Retirement Communities following an extended illness.
Mrs. Overstreet was born August 2, 1936 to the late Gilbert K. Henderson and Willie Howard Henderson. A lifelong resident of Emerson Park in Waycross, she was a devoted mother, a dedicated community servant, and a friend to many.
Mrs. Overstreet was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Charles Hurst, Raymond Cribb and John W. Overstreet; her son, Ray Cribb; and her brother, Jack Henderson.
Mrs. Overstreet is survived by her daughter, Donna Hurst Keen Haynes (Geoff) of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; her grandson, Glen P. Keen (Jamie Adams) of Hoboken; and three greatgrandchildren, Aidan Adams, Alex Keen and Audrey Keen; a daughterin- law, Lisa Cribb; grandson, Daniel Cribb; and her nephew, Dennis Newton (Ann), for whom she and Raymond provided a home during his formative years.
Mrs. Overstreet possessed a strong work ethic that began in high school. In 1965, she began a long and rewarding career with the State of Georgia Probation Department. Mrs. Overstreet retired in 1995 as a probation aide, but returned to work for several years as a probation officer with Community Corrections.
Mrs. Overstreet often joked she finally “retired for good” because of the new computer systems, declaring she was too old to learn new tricks. In truth, Mrs. Overstreet simply had a genuine desire to help others and truly enjoyed her work with the courts.
Outside of work, she cherished her roots. Mrs. Overstreet remained close with her classmates from the Wacona High School Class of 1954, actively helping to organize their reunions. She was equally passionate about her extended Henderson and Howard families, taking great pride in organizing family reunions to keep those traditions alive.
A dedicated supporter of her community, she worked diligently to maintain the Emerson Park Community Center and was a faithful member of Emerson Park Baptist Church, and later Central Baptist Church.
In retirement, Mrs. Overstreet stayed active as a member of the Ware County Exchange Club. She enjoyed a close circle of friends — originally the “Red Hatters,” later affectionately known simply as her “lady friends.” They met regularly for lunch, and Mrs. Overstreet took great pleasure in hosting them at her home for fish fries.
Her greatest personal joy, however, was found in her own backyard. She maintained her yard alone until recently, often declaring her lawnmower was her psychiatrist. Yard work brought her immense happiness and peace.
Mrs. Overstreet spent a period at Satilla Bluffs and later resided at Baptist Village. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all her caregivers for the kindness and care shown to her.
A funeral service was held Friday, April 3, 2026 at the Music Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial followed in Kettle Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, Georgia 31501.
