Betty Josephine Philpott Martin

Mrs. Betty Josephine Philpott Martin of Martinsville, Va., passed away Thursday, June 14, 2012, at her current home in Axton at the age of 86. She was born May 29, 1926, in Philpott, Va. She attended Ferrum Hall in Ferrum, Virginia and graduated from Bassett High school. She was a devoted wife and proud mother of seven children.

Mrs. Martin is survived by her sister, Mrs. Peggy Cross of Martinsville, and a brother, Mr. Charles Thomas Philpott Jr. of Philpott; her seven children and their spouses, Lou and George Harris, Jr. and Bill and Sandy Martin, all of Martinsville; Lelia Wood-Smith of Rye, New York. Suzanne and Rusty Lacy of Axton, Va.; Charlene and Jimmy Lee, Mary and Steve Middleton, and Barbara Jean and Bobby Long, all of Richmond, Virginia,; 19 grandchildren and their spouses, Haze Harris and wife Liz, Haskell Harris, Chandler Harris Bibb and husband Murray, Kathy Martin Farrar and her husband Scott, Gina Martin Manley, Donald Wood-Smith and wife Colleen, Phillip Wood-Smith, Chrissi Wood-Smith and husband Buck Wood, Slate Lacy and wife Tyler, Brent Lacy, Ashley DeBold Wane and husband Denis, Shannon Lee Graff and husband Chris, Will, Sam, Stephanie and Jack Middleton, and Rob, Bobbie Lou and Josie Long; and twelve great grandchildren, George Harris, Mac Bibb, Rhett and Billy Dietz, Camden Farrar, Lane and Corbin Manley, Sailor, Beckett, and Finley Wood-Smith, Jane Tyler Lacy, and Sydney Wane.

Preceding her in death was her husband of 64 years, William Raymond Martin Sr., her father Charles Thomas Philpott, Sr., her mother Christine Prillaman Philpott, and her twin sister Adlynn Philpott Wilson.

Mrs. Martin was very active in Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, the Martinsville- Henry County community. She started the Henry County Woman’s Club and was the first president. Through this club, she started the first school for children with mental challenges, started the first recycling paper drives, and established a fine arts department. She served on the Ferrum College Board of Advisors for Martinsville and Henry County.

Betty Jo, as she was known by friends, loved spending time with her family and devoted husband, as well as her love for gardening. When it came to helping others, the word no was not in her vocabulary. Her energy level was endless, with the philosophy of “do it because it needs to be done”. She was remembered by many for cruising around town in her limousine with her seven children and pets ,including their Shetland pony, Red Cloud.

The funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 17 at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Martinsville. Burial will follow at Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville.

The family will receive friends from 5-7pm, Saturday, June 16, at the home of Rusty and Suzanne Lacy, 466 Ferrell Lane, Axton, Va.

Pallbearers: Haze Harris, Donald and Philip Wood-Smith, Slate and Brent Lacy, Will, Sam and Jack Middleton, and Rob Long.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 725 Beechnut Lane, Martinsville, Va. 24112, and the SPCA of Martinsville-Henry County, 132 Joseph Martin Highway, Martinsville, Va., 24112.

Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville.