Funeral Services for Betty Lee Wiley Melder, age 78, of Jonesville, Louisiana were held at Whitehall Pentecostal Church in Whitehall, Louisiana on 25th day of August, 2025, with Rev. Joey Paul and Bro. Tyler Pritchard officiating. Interment followed at Oak Grove Cemetery, under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home. The family received friends at the church from 9 AM until service time at 11 AM.
Betty Lee Wiley Melder, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother sister, Aunt Bett Bett, and friend was born April 17, 1947, in Jonesville, Louisiana and entered eternal rest on August 22, 2025, in Manifest Louisiana.
She is preceded in death by her husband (the love of her life) of 42 years, James Marvin Melder, parents Wilven Warren “Mick” Wiley and Rosa Lee Nugent Wiley, Niece Ashley Cooper Knight and Nephew Curtis Mitchell “Curt” Wiley.
She is survived by children: Sherry Lynn Melder of Manifest, James William “Bill” Melder of Olla, Sandra Gayle Melder Floyd (Scottie) of Manifest. Siblings: Mickey Jane Wiley Elliott (Murphy) of Sturkie Arkansas, Donnie Wayne Wiley (Carol) of Nebo, Diane Wiley Collins (Joe) of Nebo, Brenda Wiley Peppers (Glen) of Trout, brother Herman Wiley of Wildsville, brother Alan Dale “Shorty” Wiley of Wildsville. Grandchildren: Allyson Melder Wooley (Jay) of Olla, Jacob Austin Parker (Sasha) of Harrisonburg, Kylee Melder of Monroe, Baylee Melder of Olla. Great Grandchildren: Bryleigh Parker, Anthony Parker, Karson Kuligowski, Lizzy Kuligowski, Paxton Jarrett and Heartlee Jarrett and a host of nieces and nephews, and her special angel, Kellye Maynard.
Betty Lee was a woman whose faith defined her. She started this faithful journey with God deep in the Kisatchie Forest in Elmer, Louisiana. She loved to share the stories of how God called upon her and spoke to her as she witnessed to others about the power of God and prayer. Her prayers uplifted so many and she was known as a great prayer warrior and when she prayed it always felt like God was right there in the room. She has made many plate lunches especially gumbo plates to help in building funds for the church and was a wonderful Sunday school teacher and choir leader for many years and a devoted follower of Christ and was a member of the Whitehall Pentecostal Church.
Her love of family and traditions brought joy to all who knew her. Betty Lee both loved and feared the Lord with a reverence that was shown through every aspect of life. She was a true prayer warrior, faithfully calling out everyone’s name in prayer daily and believing wholeheartedly in the power of God’s grace and mercy. One of her favorite things to do daily was to write letters to God about the needs of her loved ones and asking his blessings for them all.
Her kitchen was a place of warmth and comfort where sweet scents of pies, cookies and her famous brownies filled the air. Christmas has a special place in her heart as she loved to fill her home with music, decorations and lights (which she left up on her porch all year) embracing every tradition of the season. It was a time filled with laughter, love and the aroma of her cooking and making sure everyone had a gift. Then would bundle up and sit on her porch and watch all the kids do fireworks.
Betty Lee leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness and unwavering love, a legacy that will continue to bless her family, friends and all who knew her for many years.
Betty Lee welcomed many children into her home to care for them as if they were her own while their mothers worked. Those children became family and held a special place in her heart.
Proud to serve as pallbearers were, Sheriff Toney Edwards, Buddy Rouse, Jacob Parker, Rodney George, and Kimball “Jack” Harris, Waylon Wiley, Will Wiley and Adam Rollins.
To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com.