Betty Killingsworth

Betty Ruth Killingsworth, 86, passed away peacefully on Feb 3, 2022, in Johnson City, Tennessee after a brief illness.  Betty was born in 1936 in Gadsden, Alabama to Bill and Alma Mackey.  She was the only girl in the family and grew up in the Gadsden area.  Betty met Sentell, her late husband of 65 years, in the fall of 1953 at an Emma Sansom football game.  She graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1954 and they were married on June 18th of that same year.  They had 2 children Debra Craiger and Devin Killingsworth.

Betty worked hard all her life keeping her home, raising her kids, working at the IGA in Springville and working alongside her husband in their pest control business.  She was a talented artist and an excellent seamstress, making clothes for her children and grandchildren for many years.  Those who live in Springville may remember her as Mrs. Clause since she and Sentell opened their decorated home each Christmas to visitors. She was a steward of the “old ways”, demonstrating cooking over an open hearth at Homestead Hollow and spending countless hours passing on her homemaking skills to her grandchildren.

Betty was a member of the First Baptist Church in Springville.  She loved to sing and participated in her church choir when she was able.

She was preceded in death by her husband Sentell, one daughter Debra, and her brothers William Mackey Jr. (Tempie), David (Virginia), and Gene (Jerrie Ann).  She is survived by her son Devin Killingsworth (Fay) and a son in law Dale Craiger (Vicki), 5 grandchildren Angela Flemmer (Scott), Brandy Lusk, Casey Craiger (Sunshine), Adam Killingsworth and Charla Craiger as well as 5 great grandchildren Layla and Wayne Lusk II, Ivy Craiger, Gracie and Ashton Craiger, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens with visitation from 12-2pm on February 6th, 2022, with services immediately to follow. David Dupree is officiating.  Pallbearers are Dennis Kujan, Alan Kujan, Gene Kujan, Scott Flemmer, Dale Craiger and Adam Killingsworth.