Bettyann Kailing née Kaminski went to be with her Lord at 9:00 am on September 24, 2022, at Athens Health and Rehabilitation in Athens, Alabama. She was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 1938, and was blessed with 84 years of life. Bettyann was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, William “Billy” Kailing, whose fight with leukemia ended in 1992 after 32 years of marriage. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Kimberly and Kristen, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Bettyann was a teacher at heart. She taught Pre-K through 3rd grade professionally in Florida and New Jersey for over thirty-five years. But, even after her retirement, she was always enthusiastic about teaching her passion for crafting to anyone who would sit still long enough to listen. She was “Gramy” to more than just her family but also to the congregation at First Baptist Church of Pelham, in Alabama, where she directed the Arts and Crafts for the annual Vacation Bible School for a few years, teaching her passion to her church community. Bettyann also loved being outdoors and was incredibly proud of her gardens, where she taught her grandchildren how to weed, water, and prune to the soundtrack of her wind-chime collection. Although she did not make avid crafters and gardeners out of all of her children and grandchildren, they were all gifted many skills and supplies due to her influence.
Bettyann's love language was crocheting, and she was never found without at least three ongoing crafting projects or a “heaven’s-to-betsy” when she poked herself with a pin. Her sewing expertise clothed her family and will continue to keep them warm with innumerable quilts and afghans. Her love of her family and of lace was demonstrated by her crafting the veil for every wedding in the family. Her grandchildren remember her by cuddles to the sound of her singing “You Are My Sunshine” and “A Bushel and a Peck.” Her final unfinished project, a matching family tradition Christmas stocking for her youngest great-granddaughter, will be finished in Gramy’s loving memory.
Her family will be celebrating her life in a private memorial together, and her remains will be taken to Oaklawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida, to be interred with her husband.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of Limestone County (PO Box 626, Athens, AL, 35612) in her name.
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