Betty Coffey Funkhouser was born May 25, 1933 at Oak Bank, Natural Bridge, Virginia on the farm on which she lived most of her life up until her death on Monday, July 29, 2019.
Her parents were James Alfred and Mamie Etta Hayslett Coffey. She was one of six children born, four of whom lived to adulthood.
With the exception of one year in Salem, she was educated at Natural Bridge schools, graduating in 1951, having been an avid player of basketball and softball.
Soon after graduation, she began work at Lees Carpet, married Jack Funkhouser and together they had one daughter. She worked at Lees, later Burlington, until her early retirement in 1985.
She was a lifelong member of Natural Bridge Baptist Church and participated in church activities on all fronts, including the Girl's Auxiliary, Women's Missions, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, choir, cemetery committee and organizer of innumerable events.
She was a founder and co-leader of the Rockbridge Arthritis Support Group, member of the Rockbridge Genealogical Society, committee member of the Rockbridge County Heritage Book and supporter of Relay for Life. She was an enthusiastic amateur genealogist and historian and savored her many hours reading microfilm at the VMI library.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Mary Elizabeth, Ronald Kenneth, William Morris and Berman, "Cotton."
She is survived by her husband, Jack; daughter, Debbie and her husband, John Driscoll, their son, Evan, and her sister, Shirley Humphries. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Ola Mae Coffey and Bonnie Burjoice,; brothers-in-law, Robert and Carleton (Lisa) Funkhouser, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. She birthed one, but mothered many.
Family visitation will be Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Harrison Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place at Harrison's Chapel Friday, August 2 at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Randy Smith. Burial will follow at Rockbridge Memorial Gardens.
You may express your condolences with contributions to Natural Bridge Baptist Church.
Arrangements are being made by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.
