Bettye Bowling Erb

Bettye Bowling Erb, age 92 passed away peacefully into God’s presence on Saturday, January 25Th. Bettye was born in Friendsville, Tennessee on May 25, 1932. Bettye is preceded in death by her loving husband, Harley Ellsworth Erb III, her parents Cecil and Gladys DeFoe, and sister Cecilia Bales.

Bettye is survived by her children, Kerma Wilson (Nelson), Jayne Duncan, David Bowling, Doug Bowling (Julie), and bonus children Harley and Donna Erb, Jane and Jim Kirkpatrick, and grandchildren, Matthew and Megan Wilson, Dr. Rebekah and Matthew Koon, Benjamin and Whitney Bowling, Will and Sarah Bowling, Julianne Bowling, John Berry, Alyssa Dixon and Kristen Bowling, Zack Duncan, Hayley and Tom Potts, Kathryn and Chris Punke, Drs. Kelley and Emily Erb, Jay and Katherine Kirkpatrick, and Chris and Meghan Erb, as well as many foster grandchildren. Bettye has also been blessed with 18 great-grandchildren. She was the best MeMaw. All of these, she loved and touched deeply. She is also survived by her sisters, Dora Bowman and Margie Andrews and her brother Allen “Bud” DeFoe (Erika), and special friend Miko Griffin.

Bettye was a devoted member of Tulip Grove Baptist where she served on the Homebound and Room in the Inn ministries as well as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She loved to sing and sang in the choir.

Bettye attended Carson Newman College where she earned her BS and MA degrees. Later, she earned her +45. She started her teaching career in a two-room schoolhouse and finished her 34 years of teaching in the Metro Public School system. After retirement, she was a Volunteer Advocate with the Greater Nashville Regional Council on Aging and Disabilities. She loved to garden and was an avid reader. Her favorite book was her Bible.

The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:30 am on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the Hermitage Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. Her service will be immediately following. Entombment will take place in the Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Jesus Provisions Ministries and Care Center. Jesusprovisions.org