Bettye was born in Knoxville TN and was the daughter of James and Madeline Lanning. Bettye grew up in Knoxville and had been a Johnson City/Elizabethton resident for the past 64 years. She graduated from Rule High School in Knoxville and she and her sister June then both enrolled at East Tennessee State University. Bettye met her future husband, Harry Noble Fortune, while attending ETSU. They were married from 1954 to 1968 when Harry passed away from cancer. She met her second husband, Charles K. Brumit (Ken) and they were married in 1975 until Ken’s passing in 2018.
Bettye was a former member of the Junior League of Johnson City and she was also an avid bridge player. Bettye learned to play bridge while living in Erwin in the late 50’s and continued to play regularly until she was in her 80’s. She was also an avid golfer who played until her mid 80’s in various women's leagues in the area for many years. She made numerous lifelong friends in both golf and bridge. She and Ken enjoyed traveling and they traveled extensively. Bettye and Ken were also avid boaters and aviation enthusiasts. Bettye had a lighthearted sense of humor and could light up a room with her exaggerated gestures.
Bettye was a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City. She was a member of several Sunday School classes over the years - The Couples Class, The Philosophers Class and the Virgil Anderson Class.
In addition to her parents and her husband’s, Harry Fortune and Ken Brumit, Bettye was preceded in death by her daughter Amy Fortune, her sister June Swanay and brother-in-law Butch Swanay, nephew John Lanning, niece Carrie Beth Swanay and nephew Michael Hethmon.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James R. (Butch) Fortune and wife Susan of Johnson City; stepsons, Steve Brumit and his wife, Cindy, of Kingsport, TN, John Brumit and his wife Peggy of South Carolina, and Bill Brumit and his wife, Kim, of Knoxville, TN; stepdaughter, Betsy Moakler and her husband, Rich of Johnson City; granddaughters, Lyndl Heins (Alex), Allison Brumit (Shavago), Jennifer Brumit (A.J.) Jessica Brumit, Shannon Moakler, and Stephanie Brumit; grandsons, Rob Fortune, Curtis Brumit (Malissa), Chris Brumit (Laura), Shawn Moakler, Tyler Arp (Dee), and Cody Martin (Shea); her brother, James Lanning and his wife Faye of Knoxville; niece, Terrie Lanning (Steve) of Knoxville, TN; nephews Michael Lanning of Boston, Mass, Tom Hethmon and his wife Mary of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mark Hethmon of Salt Lake City, Utah.
A special thanks to the caregivers at Princeton Assisted Living in Johnson City and Oakmont at Gordon Park in Bristol who provided kind and loving care for Bettye over these past few years.
The family will receive friends from 12:00PM until 12:45PM on Wednesday August 14, 2024 at Monte Vista Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00PM celebrating the life of Bettye Brumit with Rev. Dr. Kip Laxson officiating. A Committal Service and Inurnment will be held immediately following the memorial service in the Garden of Peace at Monte Vista Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Munsey Memorial UMC, 201 S. Roan Street, Johnson City, TN 37601.
Arrangements especially for Mrs. Bettye Lanning Fortune Brumit and her family have been made through Monte Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 1900 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN; 423-282-2631.
