Betty Jane Haywood

April 6, 1931 - May 3, 2022

Betty Jane (Lautner) Haywood was welcomed into Heaven by her Lord and Savior on Tuesday May 3, 2022. She was one of ten children born to Anthony and Augusta Lautner and was raised on a farm in Williamsburg. Of Betty’s nine-one years, she shared seventy-three of them with the love of her life, Tom. Together they raised two daughters in Long Lake Township. Betty was a member of Long Lake Friends Church for nearly sixty years. One of her many gifts from God was that of “service” which was displayed through her dedicated work as clerk, greeter, fundraiser, chairperson for two major building projects, Vacation Bible School programs and countless dinners. Her sought-after pies were sold before they ever reached a bake sale. Betty was active in community activities leading youth programs for Grange, statistician and score keeper for the Long Lake Men’s Baseball team, co-chaired school carnivals and fundraisers, active member and hostess for Ladies Aid Group, snowmobile and square dance gatherings. Her love of cooking and entertaining was a natural fit with the compassion she had for family, friends and neighbors who were in need of an extra hand. She never said “no”; and generously made things happen. She was an amazing gardener and would share the bounty of her impeccable vegetables all season long. Betty started working part-time as cook and secretary at Long Lake Elementary School until it annexed to TCAPS. A part-time job worked its way to retirement after 33 years full time in human resource, payroll and hiring all of the substitute teachers for the school district before it was an automated service. Betty treasured the relationships she built with TCAPS employees and substitutes she spoke to on a daily basis. She enjoyed that part of the job and made many life-long friends. Betty is survived by her husband Thomas; daughters Deborah (Nixon), Roberta (Haywood); granddaughter Heather (Brian) Bahlau and great grandsons Brody and Caleb. She loved the title “Grandma” and was extremely proud of her family. Surviving of her siblings is Charles (Kathy) Lautner, brother-in-law Eli Haywood and many nieces and nephews. Betty’s Celebration of Life will take place at Long Lake Friends Church on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 2 pm with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. A private family graveside service will take place at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers to please consider memorial gifts to Long Lake Friends Church and the Long Lake Fire Department. The family thanks Hospice of Michigan and the Long Lake Fire Department EMS Staff for their loving care.