Betty Kirkpatrick passed away on October 21, due to complications arising from pneumonia. She shared 38 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, John Kirkpatrick, who preceded her in death in 2019.
Betty was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, on September 17, 1933, to her loving parents, Ervin B and Exie Parks. Her family later relocated from Scottsboro to Huntsville, where she proudly graduated from Hazel Green High School. Following her high school graduation, she embarked on a career as a telephone operator at Bell South before dedicating herself to being a full-time mother and homemaker until her sons, Harry “Buz” and Joe Swaim, left for college. Afterward, she pursued various jobs in Huntsville and eventually established a successful career in the accounting department at the Huntsville Times.
Betty was known for her passion for gardening, her love for playing cards, and her devotion to spending quality time with her family. Her heart swelled with pride for her two sons, Buz and Joe, her five granddaughters, and her six great-grandchildren. She was an active member of a ladies’ lunch group, a Rook card-playing group, and the Mourning Glory group at Whitesburg Baptist Church.
Betty’s legacy extended far beyond her earthly pursuits. Deeply rooted in her faith, she held unwavering faith as a committed Christian and built her existence centered around Christ’s teachings. As a founding member of the former Southside Baptist Church, she participated in the choir singing the praises of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In recent years, she was a dedicated member of Whitesburg Baptist Church, actively participating in life groups and attending church services regularly, as her health allowed.
On Thursday, October 26, Betty’s family and friends will celebrate her life. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, followed by a service at 1:00 p.m., both held at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus in the Chapel, 7300 Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville.
In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that donations be made to the Whitesburg Baptist Church Master Campus Plan, in memory of Betty Kirkpatrick as a testament to her enduring faith and dedication to her church community.
As we say goodbye to an extraordinary woman who graced our lives with her warmth, love, and steadfast faith, we find solace in the knowledge that she has joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and can now sing His praises in Heaven.
