Betty Farmer Lyons

Mrs. Betty Farmer Lyons, age 93, of Murray, Kentucky, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House.

Betty was born on March 2, 1931, in White Plains, Kentucky to the late Walter and Martha Elizabeth Gunn Farmer. She is survived by her children, Gail Eveland (Barry) of Madisonville ,Kentucky, Paula Price (Roger) of Winchester, Virginia, David Lyons (Georgann) of Marietta, Georgia, Robert Lyons (Mary Beth) of Murray, Kentucky; nieces, Liz Vanderveer (Phil) of Greensboro, North Carolina, Martha Whelan of Owensboro, Kentucky, Marian Miller of Bedford, Virgina; nephews, Carl Asby (Jaime) of Greensboro, North Carolina, Thomas Walter Farmer of California; also elven grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Paul Lyons Jr.; brother, James Lloyd Farmer; sisters, Ola Mae Farmer Crider, Martha Elizabeth Farmer Lantrip and Mary Frances Farmer Ashby.

Betty was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Murray where she worked many years side by side with lifelong friends in the nursery so the young parents could attend Sunday School. She saw her role as working “behind the scenes” so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could be instilled in others. In later years, she enjoyed volunteering in the church library.

She grew up in Hopkins County and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Murray State University. She substitute taught for many years in the Murray and Calloway School Districts before teaching full-time at Calloway County Middle School. She was an active member of the Rho Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa after retirement until her health declined. 

Betty was an avid reader and a first-class bargain hunter, always excited to track down the best deals on clothes or toys for her grandchildren while on a trip with Paul. Most of all she enjoyed time spent with dear friends drinking coffee at the kitchen table where life’s problems were solved, and blessings celebrated.

          A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, with John Eveland and Walt Eveland co-officiating. Interment will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

          Expressions of sympathy can be made to Murray State University, c/o The Lyons Family Scholarship, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House 803 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

          Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com

          J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.