Betty Lou Marbury Roaten was born in Haywood County, Tennessee on March 17, 1939, one of six siblings, to Henry Clay Marbury and Birdie Marbury. She graduated from Haywood High School in 1957 and went on to Union University, where she graduated in 1963.
In 1949, at the age of 10, they discovered that Betty had a bone tumor in her right hand. Word spread about her story, prayers and letters flooded in from around the US and the globe. Word even made its way down to Houlka, Mississippi, where a young high school senior, Paul Roaten, read about her in the Commercial Appeal. Unfortunately, Betty did end up losing her right hand in December 1949. However, after a follow up article was published in 1955, Paul decided to write to Betty, and this was the beginning of their relationship. A courtship ensued over the next few years, culminating in their marriage on June 4, 1960, at Brownsville Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tennessee. They were happily married for 63 years, and together for a total of 68 years.
After several decades of serving in ministry with her husband, including 20 years as missionaries in Uruguay, South America with the Southern Baptist Convention, Foreign Mission Board. They then relocated to Hope, Arkansas where Paul ran the Hope Migrant Mission, while Betty taught public school. Betty retired from teaching in 2003.
They moved to Henderson, TN in 2005, where they served Bethel Baptist Church as Pastor and wife. They both retired in 2015, when they moved to Anna, TX where Betty served in many capacities at Calvary Baptist Church.
She was an avid reader and enjoyed puzzles and crosswords.
Betty passed away December 30, 2023, peacefully, with family by her side. She is survived by her husband Paul, three children: Lois Ann and husband Billy, David and wife Alicia, and Eddie and wife Sunni, along with 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Henderson, Tennessee at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024 with burial to follow in Bethel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM service time at the church.
