We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Bettye Ruth Finley Abernathy, age 90, of Fayetteville, TN. Bettye was born on May 20, 1934, in a log cabin on Well Hill Road and departed this life on October 4, 2024, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
A proud graduate of Central High School, where she was a talented majorette in the band, Bettye furthered her education at David Lipscomb College. As a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, she dedicated her time and talents to various committees, making a lasting impact on her community.
Bettye grew up at Finley Lumber, her family’s lumber yard, and made history as one of the first women in Tennessee to earn a general contractor’s license. In 1978, she and her daughter, Elsie Ann, founded the Tigress in Fayetteville, later acquiring Willa’s Clothing in Huntsville, AL. Bettye was an active community leader, serving on the boards of Fayetteville Main Street, the Lincoln County School Board, and the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Museum Board, where she was known for her enthusiastic fundraising efforts, particularly at their annual Pasta Premier.
Bettye is survived by her daughter, Elsie Ann Abernathy (Larry) West; granddaughter, Courtney West; great-grandchildren, Daniel Evan Schmidt and Aubrey Faith Schmidt; nephews, Bobby (Penny) Phillips and Patrick Phillips; nieces, Pamela Beth Abernathy and Holly (Mark) Giddings; and first cousins, Rodney Thompson, CG Thompson, and Susan (Joe) Schwenz. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Andrew Finley and Sarah Thompson Finley; her husband, Joe C. Abernathy; and her son, Robert Finley Abernathy.
The family will host a memorial gathering for Bettye’s friends and family to celebrate her life on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Abernathy Home, located at 305 Washington Street East, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Visitation with the family will take place on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 11 AM to 1 PM, followed by a funeral mass at 1 PM at St. Anthony Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Fr. George Panthananickal. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1900 Huntsville Highway, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334; Fayetteville-Lincoln County Museum, P.O. Box 54, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334; or the Humane Society of Lincoln County, P.O. Box 37, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Bettye Ruth Finley Abernathy.
