Betty was born in Tishomingo, MS, and raised in Northeast MS and Northwest AL. She graduated from Double Springs High School (AL) and moved to the Jackson area (MS) after graduating. She was married to Erick Kearney for 46 years and raised three daughters. She worked in bookkeeping/accounting positions at McRae’s and retired with the state of Mississippi after working in the Department of Agriculture and later Archives and History. Betty was saved and loved the Lord at a young age, and she openly shared her faith with loved ones and strangers. She loved singing old hymns and enjoyed participating in church choir. In her adult life, she was a dedicated member at Calvary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Terry, and later Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton, MS. Her daughters vividly remember never missing church and her proudly singing hymns while cooking. She loved the outdoors and regularly took family camping trips when the children were younger. Later in life, she enjoyed the outdoors by working in the garden and tending to her flowers. Her southern cooking and comfort-food dishes were well-known and provided regularly for her family and grandchildren too. She shared many recipes that are still being cooked today by friends and family. People remember Betty always with a smile.
Betty is survived by her husband, Lyle O. Tabolt Jr.; her daughter Linda Kearney Simmons of Madison, Mississippi; her daughter Susan Kearney Miller (Andy) of West Point, Mississippi; her step-daughter Darcy Hule (Eric) of Huntsville, Alabama; her step-daughter Gaylen Dean (Roger) of Huntsville, Alabama; her step-son Arlin Ruby of Toney, Alabama; her step-son Brian Tabolt of Tennessee; her step-son L. Brett Tabolt (Gina) of Montana; and her step-son Mark L. Tabolt of Orlando, Florida; her sister Angie Wilson Crowe (Stanley) of Double Springs, Alabama; her grandchildren Jonathan Simmons (Shelby), Kathleen S. Burnett (Cody), Anna Davis (Gregg), Paige Moore (Addison), Seth, Boston, and Hatcher Cunningham; as well as numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her daughter Carolyn Kearney Lynchard; her brothers Aaron Wilson and Homer Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Morrison Heights Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
A visitation for Betty will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209, followed by a celebration of life at 2:30 PM.
