In Loving Memory of Betty Louise Utech
With hearts heavier than words can express, the family of Betty Louise Utech, age 76, announces the passing of their precious momma, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Betty was so much more than the titles she carried. She was the heart and backbone of her family, a woman whose strength carried those she loved through some of life’s hardest days. She loved deeply, gave freely, and stood beside her family through every season of life.
Above everything else, Betty was a Momma. She was a devoted mother to Dennis, Kimberly, and Jason. Her children were a tremendous part of her life, and the love she had for them was unconditional. Through happiness, heartache, struggles, and celebrations, Momma was there. Her strength became their strength, and her love gave them a place that would always feel like home.
Betty knew her share of heartache during her lifetime. She said goodbye to people she loved dearly, yet somehow she continued putting one foot in front of the other. She showed her family what true strength looked like—not because life was always easy, but because she continued loving her family through it all.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Terry Utech; her precious son, TJ Utech; her grandson, Michael Utech; her parents, Joe and Louise Wilbourn; her brothers, Jimmy Gray, Randy Wilbourn, and Bobby Wilbourn; her sisters, Connie Oden, Kathy Oden, and Lisa Wilbourn; her brother-in-law, Kenneth Oden; her nieces, Lisa Hastings, Sandra Williams, and Donna McCrary; and her nephew, Eddie Williams.
She leaves behind to cherish her I her children, Dennis (Sharon) Utech, Kimberly (Robert) Haston, and Jason (Amberly) Utech; her grandchildren, Leigh Ann Haston, Mackenzie Haston, Tabitha (Chad) Miller, Brooke Utech, Madison, Kiah, and Ridge, and Christopher McGee; and her great-grandchildren, Brylee Miller, Bentley Utech, Blaze Utech, Havoc Kain Utech and Colter. and Porter McGee; along with other beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her siblings, Vickey Pike, Glenda (Bootie) Lynch, Ricky Wilbourn, and Gary (Donna) Wilbourn; her special friends, Fern Henderson and Brenda Flanagan Turner; along with several loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were touched by Betty throughout the years.
While those left behind are heartbroken, there is comfort in knowing that Betty has been reunited with those she has missed for so long. We can only imagine the moment she saw her husband, Terry, again; the moment she was able to wrap her arms around her baby boy, TJ; and the moment her precious grandson, Michael, greeted her with, “Come on in, Granny. We’ve been waiting for you.”
What a beautiful reunion that must have been. On behalf of The Utech family we like to extend a special thanks to Brittany and Madison and the staff with Aveana Hospice for the amazing care and love shown to our Momma in the last two months. We couldn’t have done it without y’all.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home.
Funeral services honoring Betty’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Scottsboro Funeral Home.
Though saying goodbye to Momma is one of the hardest things her family will ever have to do, they find peace in knowing this is not goodbye forever. Her love, her strength, her memories, and the pieces of herself she gave to everyone she loved will remain with them until the day they are together again.
