April 11,1957 ~ August 24,2010 
Wednesday, September 01,2010 * 11:00 a.m. 
Ben Hill United Methodist Church 
2099 Fairbum Road, SW 
Atlanta, Georgia 30331 
Rev. Richard D. Winn, Sr., Senior Pastor 
Officiating 
Mrs. Iris Gwendolyn Edwards Betterson entered into rest August 24, 2010 in 
Lithonia, Georgia. She was born in Augusta, GA on April 11, 1957 to Annie 
Mae Osborne Edwards and the late Thomas Jefferson Edwards. Iris found 
the Lord at an early age. She joined St. Alban's Episcopal Church in 
Augusta, GA. 
Iris attended John M. Tutt Elementary School, Terrace Manor 
Elementary school and graduated from Glenn Hills High School in Augusta, 
Georgia. Iris was very active in high school. She was a member of the 
Glenn Hills Yearbook staff, the Math Club, the Spartan Singers and was on 
the Homecoming Queen Court. Iris attended Paine College in Augusta, 
Georgia and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Accounting in 1980. She was 
a member of the Business Club and became affiliated with the Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority in 1977. 
Iris was in the Cooperative Education Program while attending 
Paine College. Her assignment was in the Division Accounting Department 
at the Walton Way office in Augusta, Georgia. Upon her graduation, she 
was permanently assigned to the Financial Accounting and Reporting 
Department in Atlanta, Georgia. 
Iris moved to Lithonia, Georgia in June 1980, where she made her 
home. Her last assignment with Georgia Power was in the Corporate Secu- 
rity Department. She was involved with the Ambassadors of Georgia 
Power, Club of Hearts and spent countless hours assisting with the 
coordination of their many activities. Iris was on the Board of Directors for 
Excell Preparatory Academy from 2009 until present. She became very 
friendly with many of the members and frequently talked very fondly of the 
group. Iris was a hard worker and a dedicated employee who touched the 
hearts of many of her co-workers and associates. 
Iris met the love of her life, Carl Betterson when she moved to 
Atlanta. They became husband and wife in June 1988, and became 
members of Ben Hill United Methodist Church that same year. 
Iris had such a sweet, sweet spirit and we know that it was the spirit 
of the Lord. Iris leaves to share her abiding spirit her loving husband Carl 
Elliott Betterson; mother, Mrs. Annie Mae Osborne Edwards; three sons, 
Carl, Jr. (Albany, Ga), Cory Elliott, and Christian Everett (Atlanta, Ga); one 
daughter, Chadasi (Savannah, Ga); two sisters Shirley (Roger) Lockhart 
and Jean (Steven) James (Augusta, Ga); two nephews, Thomas (Sherica) 
Lockhart (Conyers, Ga) and Roger Lockhart II (Augusta, Ga), one grand- 
daughter, Demi, a devoted aunt Alean Stephens, a devoted sister-in-law 
Margret West and devoted nieces Lorainne Hanson and Briunna James. 
God-daughters Raven Adams and Robin Nelson, and God-son Kjeld 
Conyers of Bermuda. Iris also leaves a host of loving aunts and uncles, and 
nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. 
'etwee 
Prelude 
Processional 
Opening Hymn..............Precious Lord".....................#474 
Scripture Old Testament: Psalm 91...........Rev. Samuel Townsend 
New Testament: 2 Timothy 4:6-8.....Rev. Gigi A. Warren 
Prayer......................................Rev. Dr. Michael D. Stinson 
Ministry of Music......."Because He Lives" 
Remarks/Tributes: (3 Minutes, Please) 
Neighbor: Linda Nelson 
Friend: Jackie Adams 
Family: Joseph Osborne 
[Obituary Read Silently] 
Solo................."A Word From The Lord........Sherica Lockhart 
Eulogy/Sermon...............................Rev. Richard D. Winn, Sr. 
Acknowledgement 
Recessional............Goin Up Yonder 
Interment 
Kennedy Memorial Garden 
2500 River Road | Ellenwood, GA 30294-1260 
(404) 243-8900 
Repast 
Ben Hill UMC in the Fellowship Hall 
(pallbearers 
Cory Betterson Roger Lockhart, II 
Christian Betterson Roger Lockhart, Sr. 
Thomas Lockhart Joseph Osborne 
Gilbert Parker 
Flower Ladies 
Jackie Adams Briunna James 
Sylvia Cotton Marilyn Johnson 
Kalreta Conyers Steede 
Acknowledgements 
The Family of our beloved Mother, Iris Edwards Betterson, would like 
to express our gratitude for all the visits you made that helped console us; 
the servings of food you brought that nourished us; the cards and calls that 
brought us joy; and all the prayers you prayed that lift our spirits. For 
everything that you have done for our family, your thoughts, prayers, and 
actions, we are very appreciative. May God continue to bless you for 
your compassion. 
Aunt Iris 
We have come to celebrate you going home, 
For you were one of the sweetest people we have ever known. 
You truly were a blessing from our Father from above. 
And your heart was true, and so was your love. 
We were blessed to have encountered a woman of such grace, 
An angel, whose kindness will never be replaced,. 
Thank you Lord for blessing the world with her presence, 
As we attempt to live our lives in her essence. 
We will keep you in our hearts, 
For now is the time for us to remember, 
To let go and let God. 
Rogers Lockhart II 
Nephew 
FinalArrangements Entrusted To: 
Murray Brothers Funeral Home 
1199 Utoy Springs Road, SW | Atlanta, GA 30331