Shared love: The actress' mother ran a dramatic arts school. They shared a love of the arts. Pictured here in 1989
Julia Roberts bids farewell to her beloved mother Betty Lou at a special memorial in Georgia
- Intimate memorial took place at New Smyrna Cemetery on Saturday
- Betty Lou Bredemus' ashes were lowered into the ground at the family plot
- Julia attended with her 10-year-old twins Hazel and Pinneaus
- Husband Danny Moder and son Henry, 8, did not attend
- Betty died of lung cancer on February 19. She was 80
A small gathering of family came together in Georgia at the weekend to farewell Julia Roberts' mother Betty Lou Bredemus at a special memorial, following her death earlier this year from lung cancer.
The intimate reception was held Saturday in Betty's hometown cemetery in Smyrna, Georgia, following the matriarch's death on February 19.
The 80-year-old died in her actress daughter's home in Malibu following a long battle with cancer.
The invitation-only gathering for 'just family' was held at Betty's grave, The Daily Mail can reveal.
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Emotional: Julia Roberts leaves a hotel in Smyrna, Georgia, on Sunday following a memorial service for her mother Betty Lou Bredemus on Saturday. The family spread her ashes at their family plot
Bidding farewell: Julia Roberts drives out of her hotel in Smyrna, Georgia on Sunday May 31, 2015
Roberts, 47, was without her husband, Danny Moder, for the memorial at the weekend
The actress rented out the entire cemetery for the event, complete with security guards flanking all entrances
Memorial: Julia Roberts traveled to Smyrna, Georgia, on Saturday for a ceremony to scatter the ashes of her mother, Betty Lou Bredemus, who died in February. She was 80
Procession: One of the funeral cars carrying guests to the memorial arrived at New Smyrna Cemetery
Intimate: Family of Julia Roberts arrive at New Smyrna Cemetery on Saturday for a ceremony to farewell the actresses mother, Betty Lou
The intimate reception was held Saturday in Betty's hometown cemetery in Smyrna, Georgia, following the matriarch's death on February 19. Seen here is the Motes family plot, including the grave of Nancy Motes, Julia's half sister
Grave: Nancy Motes, a former production assistant, was discovered by paramedics on the bathroom floor of an LA house on February 9 last year
Nancy Dabbs Motes - Julia Roberts' half sister - committed suicide by drug overdose in February and is also buried at the family ploy
Betty Lou was buried in the Motes family plot, including the grave of Nancy Motes, Julia's half sister. Family had come the day prior to the site and laid fresh flowers and a Nancy name decorative piece. A massive bouquet of daises arrived for the ceremony
Betty's ashes were lowered into the ground on the family plot, alongside her many rescue dogs
Julia had rented out the entire cemetery for the event, complete with high-tech security guards flanking all entrances.
Betty's ashes were lowered into the ground on the family plot, alongside her many rescue dogs, including Zelda and Daisy.
Julia wore a daisy-patterned dress to the memorial reception later that day, held at the nearby Renaissance Waverly Hotel.
Daisies were a big part of the procession, with the flower said to be be Betty's favorite.
Sister Lisa presented a slide show that included images of Betty coaching her children's acting workshops, cuddling dogs, and especially loving her children and grandchildren, including Julia's twins Hazel and Pinneaus, ages 10, who were present alongside mom Julia.
Absent were Julia's husband of 13 years, Danny Moder, and their eight-year-old son Henry.
Sad loss: The actress' mom, Betty Lou Bredemus, died after battling lung cancer. She was 80
Close: Julia and her mother were incredibly close. The two are pictured at the premiere of 'Benny and Joon' in Los Angeles in 1993
Actress Julia Roberts takes her mom Betty Lou to the park with her sons Phinnaeus and Henry in Los Angeles in March, 2014
Julia's famous niece Emma Roberts and brother Eric Roberts were also a no-show.
About 80 people joined to celebrate the Roberts' family matriarch, including local soul singer Francis Reed, whom Betty clearly wrote in her will that she wanted to sing at her memorial, according to a source.
There was not a dry eye in the house as Francis sang acapella and devoted the last verse of mom's favorite hymnal to Julia and family.
The intimate reception was held Saturday in Betty's hometown cemetery in Smyrna, Georgia, following the matriarch's death on February 19
Guests praised matriarch Betty who performed for troops via USO tours, trained southern businessmen to lose their 'drawl', and encourages all to rescue dogs rather than buy them.
Betty was buried alongside the ashes of a few of her favorites, Zelda and Daisy.
The remaining canines live with daughter Julia now.
The buffet spread included several varieties of chicken wings, coconut shrimp and Swedish meatballs.
Julia wore a daisy-patterned dress to the memorial reception later that day, held at the nearby Renaissance Waverly Hotel
More than one guest remarked that Betty's 'Hawaiian meatballs' were a classic and not to be beat, a source revealed.
Coincidentally, a large traditional Indian wedding party was held in the lobby and as Julia walked in to go to the ballroom for her memorial, the Indian bride and groom were dancing and singing to 'Pretty Woman.'
Betty Lou, a devout Catholic, had reportedly battled cancer since November 2013 when a 'cancerous tumour' was found in her lung during a routine MRI scan - but it was only revealed the following February after her daughter Nancy's tragic death.
Julia and her mother were very close, with both sharing a love for the arts.
Julia's biological father, Walter Grady Roberts, died of throat cancer aged 44 when she was just 10 years old.
Walter and Betty had divorced prior to his death in January 1972 and just eight months later she married Michael Motes.
Eric Roberts has said in numerous interviews that their step-father Motes created a household that was unstable and abusive.
Tragically, his and Betty's daughter Nancy, a former production assistant, was discovered by paramedics on the bathroom floor of an LA house on February 9 last year.
She committed suicide, dying from a drug overdose. She was 37-years-old.
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