Betty J Biggs

2 December 1931- 23 January 2023

With heavy hearts, the Biggs family must say goodbye to their beautiful Betty, a most loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Betty was born in New Braunfels, TX. Raised an only child, Betty became an accomplished ballet dancer and pianist before attending Howard University.

She married Levi Biggs on 11 August 1951 and went where the Air Force sent them. They made their home in Washington, Georgia, Alaska, and Wyoming. By the time Levi retired from Vandenberg AFB the couple had six children: two girls and four boys.

Betty and Levi settled in Lompoc. Betty became active with the PTA and the school board. She and Levi were both very active with their children's academic endeavors, musical pursuits, and sports.

Artistry was part of Betty's soul. Her career began with pen and ink drawings which were soon replaced by pastels and acrylics. Watercolors became her chosen medium and her career took off. She and Levi traveled to Senegal three times also spending time in Gambia. Much of their time was spent in Dakar and the Island of Gorée. Levi took the photos used to create her images and did much of her matting and framing. Her children and friends can also be seen in her paintings. Many of her works ended up in the homes of people she admired: Nancy Wilson, Cicely Tyson, and Winifred Hervey to name a few. Her work was also seen on the sets of Fresh Prince, Amen, Days of Our Lives, and Any Day Now.

Betty and Levi traveled the country again, this time showing her art. In 1985, Betty was given an award for Outstanding Achievement in Black Cultural Art. Betty donated pieces every year to the North County Rape Crisis & Child Protection Center and was received the Giving Back to the Community Award in 2009. Betty and Levi were staples at Lompoc's Flower Festival for many years. Betty was also a member of the Lompoc Valley Arts Council.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 71 years, Maj (Ret) Levi Biggs; daughter Cheryl of Indianapolis, IN; son Keith of Lompoc; son Steffan (Elyse) of Coralitas, CA; son Craig (Judy) of Valencia, CA; daughter Maria (Clarence), her devoted caregivers; grandsons Wesley, Michael and Thomas and granddaughters Simone (Kevin) and Kristen (Matthew); and great-grandsons Kevin and Michael.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Travis S. and Lyona Kilpatrick Branch. Her youngest son, Kevin J. Biggs, passed on 22 December 2022.

The Biggs family would like to thank the care team at Assisted, especially Leslie, Heather, CiCi, Alana, Ashley, and David for helping our family through this most difficult time.

A celebration of life will be planned later. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local elementary school's art program in Betty's name or to the Dementia Society of America.