Betty Jo Hawkins Lindsey

July 6, 1924 - August 24, 2021

Born Betty Jo Hawkins to Mary Nell Reed and James Waldo Hawkins on July 6, 1924 in Chattanooga, TN. She was the eldest of six children. On August 24, she left this earth peacefully surrounded by her family at home. She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings except her baby sister, Dorothy Ann (Dottie), who now resides in Florida. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, John H. Kerr, to whom she was married on December 27, 1943 with whom she shared three children- Robert Allard (Carole) Kerr, Barbara Ann (David) Gould, and Carol (Lee) Burke; six grandchildren- Kim Kerr, Robb (Autumn) Kerr, Ted (Karoline) Dempsey, Tara (Matthew) Avery, Tonya (James) Wilson, and Jennifer Mazgedian; 14 great- grandchildren; and 4 great- great- grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, W. A. Lindsey, to whom she was married on August 15, 1987. After living in Chattanooga, TN, her family made several moves and finally settled in Cedar Bluff, AL where her dad was born. After graduating high school, she attended college in Athens, AL for two years. After returning home, she worked at a steel plant in Gadsden, AL carrying mail all over the plant on a bicycle for about two months before moving to an office job. Unfortunately, she had to give up the job because she had to make a major life decision- marriage! Her employer and employees cried to be losing such an amazing lady. After marrying her first husband, she worked relentlessly in the fields for many years. She later served as a house parent at Georgia School for the Deaf for 20 years. From 1966 to 1967, she spoke fondly of her years driving the bookmobile for the library every day around Floyd, Bartow, and Polk counties. Nanny, as her family referred to her, could do anything but loved to sew, garden, grow flowers and spend hours in the kitchen cooking! She lived by the saying, “Life is not “life” until you have lived it!”, and she lived it to the very fullest!! The family will receive friends on Friday, August 27 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a service to immediately follow. Graveside services will be held at Oaknoll Memorial after the conclusion of her celebration of life. Pallbearers include: Bob Kerr, Robb Kerr, Ted Dempsey, John Mulkey, Chris Lindsey, Lee Burke, and David Gould. Parnick Jennings Sr.'s Good Shepherd Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.