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Bettye Jane Owens Burke

Bettye Jane Owens Burke

Nov. 5, 2012

Bettye Jane Owens Burke, 79, of Athens, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

A native and resident of Athens for most of her life, she was born on March 5, 1933, a daughter of the late Elizabeth Neil Owens Cochran and George Washington Owens. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Bobby Pierce of Athens, and Evelyn Lawson of Columbus, Ohio; and one brother, George \"Buck\" Owens of Florida. She was a faithful member of Eastanallee Baptist Church for 55 years and was a member of the Joy and Ruth Sunday School Class.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Lindsey and Rita Burke of Riceville, and Richard and Daris Burke of Athens; granddaughters and one spouse, Heather and Wayne Jarvis of Roseville, Mich., and Rachel Elizabeth Burke and Rebekah Anne Burke, both of Athens; grandson, Richard Matthew Burke of Athens; great-grandson, Ryan Burke Jarvis of Roseville, Mich.; and a special nephew and spouse, Dr. Thomas and Cindy Lawson of Ohio.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Eastanallee Baptist Church with the Rev. Oran Creasman and Dr. Tony Crisp officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Eastanallee Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Richard Matthew Burke, Larry Lane, Lee Parkison, Cliff Boggs, Clinton Davis and Wylie Richardson. Honorary Pallbearers will be the deacons of Eastanallee Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastanallee Baptist Church Building Fund, 482 County Rd. 725, Riceville, TN 37370.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.