Betty S. (Allen) Dempsey passed away on October 11, 2021, after a long struggle with dementia. Betty was born in Pickwick Dam, Tennessee on March 19, 1936 to the late Jessie and Sally (Link) Allen. Her family relocated to their hometown of Earlington, KY where she graduated from Earlington High School. Betty married LF (Jack) Dempsey in 1953 and in 1957 settled in Evansville. Jack and Betty were married for nearly 66 years before his death in 2019.
Betty spent her career in the medical field first as a pharmacy tech at Welborn Baptist Hospital eventually graduating from the Evansville School of Practical Nursing in 1976, and then working as an LPN in the Welborn Surgery Department. She ultimately retired in the 1990’s after serving as a research associate with GFI Pharmaceutical Services.
Most of all she was a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, known as just ‘Gran’ or ‘Gran the Great’. She was the mother of six children, including two sets of twins. Jack and Betty loved to dance and were amazing roller-skaters. They loved spending time with their family especially the chaotic Christmas Eve celebrations at their home and the annual trip to New Smyrna Beach, Florida that frequently included 30 to 40 family members. Somehow, she found time to craft items that still adorn the homes of her extended family. She was active in the McGary PTA serving as popcorn mom, was an active member of Fairlawn United Methodist Church, and a member of the Post-Polio Network having had polio as a child. She was an enthusiastic spectator at her children’s, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s sporting and musical events telling everyone hers were ‘the best one out there’. Betty loved to work in her flower garden and was a voracious reader.
The family offers sincere thanks to Betty’s amazing round the clock care team: Brittney, Holly, Peggy, and Jessica. The family is grateful for the help and support provided by Heritage Hospice, particularly Amy Barnes who was Betty’s nurse during the past few years.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Levon “Jack” Dempsey; daughter, Kelly Brown (Bret); brothers, Bobby and Michael Allen; and sister-in-law, Sharon Allen.
Betty is survived by her son, Buck Dempsey (Kelli); daughters, Kimberley Mullett (Robert), Korby Dempsey, Kris Gray (Duane), Keri Merkley (Rodney); grandchildren, Anne Vonderahe (Keith), Amy Jo Sheeley (Jason), Patrick Dempsey, Lt. Col. Zachery Hadfield (Holly), Brooke Mullett, Lauren Ebersol (Michael), Patrick Mullett (Jessica), Andrew Brown, Matthew Brown (Bethany), Sydney and Makenna Merkley; great grandchildren, Collin, Audrey, Aiden and Lucy Vonderahe, Sadie Sheeley, Madelyn, Natalie and Lucas Dempsey, Connor and Ethan Mullett, Samuel, Emmeline, Clara and Agnes Ebersol; brother, Tommy Allen; sister, Karen Beth Allen; sister-in-law, Debra Holtz; nieces and nephews.
Public visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue. Face masks will be required during visitation. A private funeral service will be held for the family and livestreamed at www.facebook.com/funeralstreamUSA beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 with a graveside service to be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at New Suthards Cemetery in Earlington, KY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.
