Betty Johnson (above left) oversees the VA guardianship department for Regions Morgan Keegan Trust for the state of Tennessee. Most days she goes above and beyond with her job, such as the time she helped a veteran build his dream house on a lake.

Devoted to Veterans

Posted August 4, 2011

TO BETTY JOHNSON, Billy* wasn’t just another veteran. He was special. Billy had been deemed mentally unstable and unable to handle his own financial affairs. His mother was his guardian, but when she became ill, the court appointed Regions Morgan Keegan Trust to be Billy’s guardian. And as the head of the Regions Morgan Keegan Trust Guardianship Department for the state of Tennessee, Betty took charge of Billy’s finances.

Billy and his mother lived near Betty’s office in a small, four-room house on a hill. Billy’s bedroom had a twin bed that all but filled up the space. A chair served as a makeshift closet. The house was cramped even for the two of them. All Billy did was sit on the front porch and smoke cigarettes. “He never got to do anything or go anywhere,” Betty recalls.

Billy’s mother held such a tight rein on his finances that by the time Betty met him in October 2003, he had accrued more than a half a million dollars in his bank account.

“His mother just saved all his money and didn’t spend it,” Betty says.

When Billy’s mother became ill, his sister and her husband took him in, but Betty remained Billy’s trust officer, paying his monthly expenses and managing his growing assets. The family had property on a lake, and it became obvious to everyone who knew Billy that the best way to spend the reserves in his account was to build him a home where he could be comfortable.

“When we built his house, he was so thrilled. It was spectacular,” Betty says. “The only thing he asked for was a front door and a back door. He just wanted to sit on the porch and look at the lake. And that’s what we did.”

What is important to note is that as a Veterans Affairs guardian, Betty’s regular duties include managing the veterans’ financial affairs when their disabilities render them unable to themselves, handling necessary federal government paperwork, and occasionally appearing in court to justify expenditures.

It wasn’t in Betty’s job description to take such an active role in building the home or to make sure the first floor had a nice-sized bedroom with a family room that proudly displayed items from Billy’s military career. And it certainly wasn’t Betty’s job to go from store to store selecting linens and silverware to stock the new house. But Betty knew Billy couldn’t do it on his own. “I just felt he was special,” she says. “He didn’t have much, and he never really asked for anything. And he was always so nice. He appreciated all we did for him. So I just wanted to make sure everything was spectacular.”

Betty says she paid particular attention to Billy, because he needed someone to look out for him. Those who know her, however, say all the veterans she works with hold a place in her heart. She doesn’t just pay monthly expenses for her veteran clients. She makes sure they have places to live and food to eat. She arranges for them to get to their doctors’ appointments and interacts with their social workers. Betty says, “I do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Sometimes it means speeding up paperwork so a veteran who may have been taken advantage of has access to money. Other times it means picking out coffins and making phone calls to ensure every veteran – even ones she’s never met – get a proper military funeral.

“I don’t work just 8 to 5 in this job,” she says. “This job is my life.”

Betty has worked at Regions Morgan Keegan Trust for 27 years. When she started, the department handled 89 veteran accounts. Now they handle more than 500. It keeps Betty and the others in her department busy. But Betty’s dedication to the veterans makes her stand out, says Bruce Duggins, her supervisor at the bank.

“She takes her job very seriously,” he says. “She’s worked her way up, and because of her hard work and perseverance, she is now responsible for the biggest VA guardianship department in the country. But most importantly, she does such a good job taking care of these veterans.”

Her hard work with the bank earned her the 2011 Regions Better Life Award, an honor given to a Regions associate who embodies the value of the company by improving the lives of customers and other associates.

Emmett Wills, Jr., assistant coach and guardianship fiduciary with the VA in Nashville, works with Betty on a regular basis and says that sometimes, because of their mental or emotional disability, veterans can be hard on their guardian. Some people might get mad or frustrated, “but not Betty,” he says. “She just lets it roll off her back like a duck.”

If you asked Betty, she would say she was just doing her job.

Billy died last spring, but he remains on her mind, as do all the veterans she has assisted over the years.

“I guess I feel that this is not just a regular job,” she says. “You have to help people. These veterans are not just account numbers. They are real people. And they all deserve the best we can give.”

BETTY JOHNSON is an associate with Regions Morgan Keegan Trust.

*In the interest of privacy, the veteran’s name has been changed.

comments (38)

What an amazing story and an even more amazing woman!

Dena Klobe

That story touched my heart. I am so glad that there are people out there like Betty. Too many times you get people in customer service jobs that don't care. I am glad to see there are still people that go the extra mile to make sure everyone has a chance at a quality life.

Sarah

Thank you for sharing your story. May your service to others be an inspiration to all of us at Regions.

Belinda Casiday

What a wonderful person Betty is. I applaud her and her dedication to her job. The world needs more people like her. Way to go Betty. I appreciate the help you are giving to our veterans!!!

Kim Boyle

What a touching story. With so many people in this country needing assistance and financial advising, it's really touching to see someone reaching out to such an important group of Americans. It's a gesture on her part that I'm sure is priceless to the veterans who she helps.

Maddy

Thank you for making a difference, Betty!

Nameless Vet

Amazing! It's great to know we work among angels! Thank you, Betty, for all you do!

Kathy

God bless Betty for taking such good care of our Veterans. She is an inspiration!

Teresa

Betty exemplifies "What is right" in our world. People who do the right thing because it makes a difference for all of us, whether we are on the receiving of such kindness or just reading about the impact it made on another person's life.

Susanne

I really enjoyed reading that story, and it really touched me. I am glad that there are still honest people out there who are willing to help others without being after something in return. Betty really made his life special.

Jessica

I teared up when I read this story. I am a strong believer that there are angels on earth. Ms. Betty, you are most definitely one. God has a special plan for you and it's good to see you are fulfilling it. It's better to serve than to be served. GOD BLESS!!!

Franceania Russell

That is so nice. God has his Angels everywhere.

Dot

Betty, you are truly a wonderful person. Thank you for your dedication to our veterans. They are so deserving of special attention. I wish we all would make a special effort to let our veterans know how much they are appreciated, and we will never forget what they have done for us! Again, thank you!

Carolyn Chilcoat

Betty is very much a Guardian Angel. We are lucky to work with and know such a wonderful woman, but the Veterans are blessed to have Betty take such good care of them. She's an inspiration to us all.

Kathleen

God Bless you, Betty. And Regions for sending you to a great place to work. What a wonderful way to live your life.

Sandra Miller

What a blessing Betty is. I'm sure Billy, as well as all the other Veterans she has come in contact with over the years have held a special place in their hearts for her. May God continue to work his many miracles through her work with this most special group of people.

Kim

Thank you so much for your commitment to our veterans. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country." May God bless you!

Lee Ann Johnson

What wonderful acts of kindness and compassion. You are an inspiration, Betty! Thank you for sharing your story of commitment and service.

alicia

Thank you, Betty, for taking care of those who took care of us.

Becky Jenkins

This truly inspires me. I can only hope to do half as much as she has. This is a wonderful story.

Alyse

What a wonderful story about how people are placed in people's lives to serve a purpose and help each other. I was greatly encouraged by this story and look forward to more like it in the future!

kasey pennington

Betty, Your story is PHENOMENAL!!! Keep up the GREAT work that you do.

Eric D. Hill

Betty is an amazing employee of Regions Bank. I am glad to hear that she represents the core values that Regions Bank inspires in of all its employees. We work hard to put people first and do more than what is expected. The veterans of the United States risk their lives for us to live in a safe country, and I am proud that Betty (Regions Bank) helps to make his life safe and peaceful.

Judy Johnson

Betty, words cannot begin to describe the wonderful human being you are. I am a proud Army wife who has seen how hard transitioning from military to civilian life can be for our veterans. Knowing there are people like you that care this much about them, is just remarkable. GOD BLESS YOU NOW & ALWAYS!!! =)

Ruth

This is the epitome of customer service. This story embodies what it means to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I would think Betty places her head on her pillow each night with a HUGE sense of accomplishment and peace! I envy that! What a wonderful example she truly is!

June Pridmore

WOW, what a jewel. This story really warms my heart. If the whole world would love like this, what a wonderful world it would be.

Stacie

Sometimes we forget about what our veterans have given up for us. Thank you so much Betty for going the extra mile to make sure a veteran knows that we do care about them and what happens in their lives. Very inspiring story. God Bless you.

Fran Nolin

This was the most compassionate story I have ever read. It honestly brought tears to my eyes. As the grandmother of an autistic grandson i could relate. God bless you Betty.

monica hughs

Betty, we need more people like you that care about others and enjoy what they do. God always has his angels all over. May God continue blessing you.

Delena

Love your amazing story. God bless you, Betty!

wuilmark

Thank you so much for what you are doing for those folks who sacrificed so much for us!

Kenneth Maddox

This is truly an inspirational story and a blessing to all who read it. As Betty continues to bless the lives of the veterans and all who meet her, her own life will be blessed with great rewards here on earth and in eternity, Thank you for sharing her story!

Nina

I am glad to know that Regions employs people like Betty Johnson. The world could use a lot more employees like her and the depth of her devotion to the ones she serves. I know there are untold families that appreciate the job that she does.

Judy Bates

As a vet myself, I can appreciate the fact that someone like Betty has gone "beyond the call of duty" to make a difference in the lives of those that fight for our country. Thanks Betty, you are truly a blessing.

Sandy Calvert

What an inspiring story. Thanks, Betty, for what you do for our veterans. My son is thinking of joining the Army. It's good to know that there are people like you who help those in need. God Bless!!

Becky

This is an amazing story. It really touched my heart. Thank you, Betty, for everything you do! You are a true inspiration to us all.

Sean Kizer

Veterans are near and dear to my heart! My grandfather served in WWII and my dad served in Korea. I head up our Veterans Day program at church. What a blessing to see someone else with that same love. Veterans have protected us throughout history and I have the utmost respect for them!!

Sandy Foster

I love what is said about customers not just being account numbers! It is just SO true... Keep up the good work, Betty!

Lee