Bettie Vesely Nuckols

Bettie Ann Vesely Nuckols, 87, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, August 28, 2025, after a long battle with dementia. She was born on December 28, 1937, in Richmond, VA, the oldest daughter of William and Mary Vesely.

A 1956 graduate of Hermitage High School in Richmond, Bettie married her high school sweetheart, Judson G. Nuckols, on April 12, 1957, in Danville, VA. They were married for 58 years until his death in 2015. She was a loyal, supportive, and faithful military spouse, often managing moves with multiple young children and deployments overseas. Duty stations included Bermuda, Greenland, Kentucky, the Philippines, South Carolina, Vietnam, and Virginia.

Once her children reached school age, Bettie became employed as a secretary, human resources representative, and later as an insurance agent for Bankers Life Insurance.

She was an active member of various Baptist churches, serving as a nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, head of the floral/decorating team and a deacon, often serving alongside her husband in hospital and pastoral care visits.

Bettie was a gifted home decorator, consummate hostess, and a fantastic cook. A compassionate friend to anyone in need, she loved to entertain and had a wide circle of friends. She was an avid reader, antique collector, bargain shopper, and believed dessert should always be a priority. Alongside Jud, she took extended road trips across the United States (she hated to fly), to both famous and off-the-beaten-path places alike, the longest trip being from Virginia to Montana and back again.

She is survived by her three children, David J. Nuckols and his wife, Veronica, of Richmond, VA; Donna N. Williams and her husband, Brian, of Newport News, VA; and Daniel C. Nuckols of Yorktown, VA; eight grandchildren, Sarah W. McCann and her husband, Robert, of Moseley, VA, Tyler J. Nuckols and his wife, Brenna, of Tampa, FL, Morgan G. Holland and her husband, Derek, of Chesapeake, VA, Joshua G. Nuckols and his wife, Brandi, of Powhatan, VA, Shane M. Nuckols of Richmond, VA, Ashley A. Nuckols and Amanda R. Nuckols, both of Yorktown, VA, and Rylie B. Hunt and her husband, Andrew, of Coronado, CA; and ten great-grandchildren, William G. McCann, Grant A. McCann, Brooklyn D. Holland, Sydney G. Holland, Wells G. Batterson, Delaney B. Nuckols, Forrest G. Nuckols, Tucker J. E. Nuckols, Myles C. Shepard, and Ava C. Cole; and a sister, Olivia R. Goin and her husband, Bobby, of Richmond, VA.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 5 at 9 a.m. at the Parklawn Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA. A funeral service will follow at 10 a.m., conducted by Dr. Brian L. Williams. Entombment will immediately follow at Parklawn.

Memorial contributions may be made to THRIVE Peninsula, 12749 Nettles Dr, Newport News, VA 23606 or The Bargain Box, 222 Dare Rd, Yorktown, VA 23692.