Zola Elizabeth (Betty) Morrison Gist gained her angel wings on June 10, 2025, while surrounded by her family. Services were held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 11:00 am at First United Methodist of Greensboro with Pastor Doug Jolly officiating and Magnolia Chapel South directing. Burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation was held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Magnolia Chapel South.
Betty was born April 5, 1940, to Mary Fowler Morrison and Aubrey Benson Morrison. She resided in Greensboro, Alabama her entire life until moving to Tuscaloosa to be close to her daughters in 2022.
Betty was so devoted to her family. Her support and love for her family never wavered being ever present for every event and milestone they each had. To say she was proud of her grand children is an understatement. She would talk about them to anyone who would listen. Betty, better known as “Meme”, never missed an awards program, a volleyball game, or whatever might involve them.
Betty started working as a teenager and did not stop until she was 81 years old. She followed in her daddy’s footsteps in the dairy business and served as president and CEO of Dairy Fresh Corporation for years. During her years at Dairy Fresh, she influenced so many lives and formed many lifelong friendships. After Dairy Fresh, Betty served as Chairman of the Hale County Hospital Board and then became Assistant Administrator there until she retired.
Betty was married to Robert Gist, her highschool sweetheart. They went to Livingston University together and resided in Greensboro where they raised two daughters, Julia Elizabeth and Robin Ann. Betty supported the school system and whatever Robert, Judy, and Robin were involved in. Most of Judy and Robin’s friends considered Betty their second mother. She treated her nieces and nephews like her own children.
Betty was a life-long member of First United Methodist Church in Greensboro. She served on many committees there and stayed involved.
Betty was an avid Alabama fan. She and her nephew Morri had a special bond going to the Alabama football games together. They still went to the LSU/Alabama football game last year when she was well. Betty loved to talk and text about Alabama football with her sisters.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey Benson Morrison and Mary Fowler; her husband, Robert; sister, Ann Montz, brother-in-laws, Lenson Montz and Robert Lucky; and nephew, Aubrey Jay Montz. She is survived by her sisters, Bennye Barnette (Braz) and Mary Jane Blankenship (David); her daughters, Judy Gist and Robin Herring (Mike); and her grand daughters, Jayna Hicks and Bethann Bullard. Also, her extended stepgrand daughter Melissa Averette (Thomas), and Grayson, Brantlee, and Will.
Pallbearers were Robert (Morri) Lucky, Gary Burt, Kevin Averette, Billy Brannon, Kerry Duncan, and Chad Howard.
Honorary Pallbearers were former employees of Dairy Fresh Corporation and employees of Hale County Hospital. A special thank-you to the staff at Moundville Healthcare, Northport Hospital, and Hospice of West Alabama.
Many, many thanks to Betty’s niece, Ginger Lucky Averette. Without her help and devotion , Robin and Judy could not have withstood these last months.
Ginger went over and beyond to help in any way.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of West Alabama or the charity of your choice.
