Betty is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Leo M. Yambrek, her three children, Michael Joseph Yambrek of Decatur, AL, Meghan Ruth Yambrek Moore (Terry) of Rineyville, KY and Andrew Scott Yambrek (Ana) of Memphis and seven beloved grandchildren, Margaret Elizabeth Yambrek and Mallory Claire Yambrek of Decatur, AL, Joshua Alan Moore of Memphis, Courtney Leigh Moore of Elizabethtown, KY, and Andrew Scott Yambrek, Jr., Emilia Grace Yambrek and Gabriela Elizabeth Yambrek of Memphis, and one precious great grandchild, Sawyer Elizabeth Grace Terstegge of Elizabethtown. She is also survived by her siblings, Richard Lawrence Jelley (Doris) of Franklin, NC, James Daniel Jelley (Robbie) of Hendersonville, TN, and Joan Jelley Surles (Todd) of Pulaski, TN, and loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Michael Edward Jelley and Laura Duff Jelley Jurgens, and her brother, John Michael Jelley.
She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she attended City High School and University of Chattanooga. Betty and Leo were longtime residents of Killen and Center Star, Alabama before moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and later retiring to Lakeland, Tennessee. She was an accomplished landscape painter, amateur photographer, avid reader, adventurous traveler, loved all God’s creatures great and small, and was a life-long fan of Elvis. Betty was active in the Republican Women’s Party of Tennessee, Eagle Forum, and before retiring, was an archivist at the Western Kentucky University Museum in Bowling Green and volunteered after retirement at the Memphis Pink Palace Museum. She was a member of Grace Evangelical Church in Germantown. Betty had a strong faith and professed her love of Christ in ministering to others by drying tears and lifting hanging hands. All who knew her loved her generous charitable Christ-like spirit.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, May 16, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Pkwy, Bartlett, TN 38133. The funeral service will be Friday, May 17, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 12096 Arlington Trail, Arlington, Tennessee 38002.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Yambrek family.
