Betty Ferrell Lightfoot-Phillips

Betty was born in Bowling Green, KY to parents Helen and Jim Ferrell; she had two sisters, Sarah Austin and Ruby Lowe.

Betty’s life consistently reflected her strong faith in God, a deep love for family and friends, and sacrificial giving of her time, talents, and treasure.

She met her first husband Louis Lightfoot in high school and was married at age sixteen. Louis went to Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco, where for more than thirty years, together they helped build the congregation of one of the largest Chinese Christian churches and schools in the nation, the Chinese Bible Church.

Betty was involved in all aspects of the ministry, including teaching Sunday School, mentoring young women, leading women’s conferences, and teaching English as a second language to high school students.

After Louis left Betty, she was contacted by a family friend, Dr. John Phillips, author of the Phillips Commentaries on the Bible. His wife had recently passed away, and he wanted to console her. They subsequently fell in love and were married in 1999. She describes these as the happiest years of her life and said that the Lord had “given her back the years the locust had eaten.”

During the years of their marriage, Betty the extrovert encouraged John, the humble introverted genius, as he spoke at conferences all over the country and the world. He described her as “one of the best things that had ever happened to him.” John also credited Betty with motivating, assisting, and supporting him as he continued to write the last few books of his Exploring Commentaries.

Betty’s family remembers her as a pillar of spiritual strength and courage. She instilled in them the knowledge that God was with them in all circumstances, and that His love was sufficient to help them face all of life’s challenges.

Her home going left a large gap in the lives of many, but those who loved her and who also know the Lord, will see her again and they will spend all of eternity together. Betty’s greatest desire was always that many would come to know the peace and security of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

She was survived by four children: Debbie Wilson, Dianna Lightfoot, Jim Lightfoot and Donna Watling; four stepchildren: Johnny Phillips, Joanne Ruth Christensen, Audrey Jose and Marilyn Lobough; four grandchildren: Shannon Griffin, Brendan Moore, Andrea Hazel and Lauren Nunsuch; and seven great-grandchildren.

Betty’s memorial service will be held at Friends Baptist Church, Clemmons, NC on Wednesday May 24th at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends Baptist Church.