Mrs. Betty Jean Hammonds Gillis

Betty Jean Hammonds Gillis, age 85, of Kingsport, TN, passed away on July 15th, 2025 at Holston Valley Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Betty was the daughter of Emmett Riley Hammonds and Ruby Virginia Jones.

Betty was born and raised in Kingsport, TN, and graduated from Sullivan High School in 1959. She pursued a career at Kingsport Press, working in book manufacturing, and was loved by her coworkers. Her work outside of her career included loving and serving her family in many ways.

Betty loved shopping for a good deal, playing Yahtzee, and watching The Price is Right. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Betty faithfully attended Victory Baptist Church since 1989, and loved the Lord Jesus. She was known for her tender heart for others, as well as her charming wittiness.

Betty is survived by her children, Tammy Gillis (Pat Shanks), and Tracey Andrews; grandchildren, Brittany Williams (Jared), Heather Brock (Cory), Grant Gillis (Rebecca), Haley Marlow (D.L.), and Hannah Ring (Jordan); siblings, Linda Davis, Wayne Larkins (Judy), Kenneth Larkins, James Larkins (Yvonne); along with 15 beloved great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmett Riley Hammonds and Ruby Virginia Jones; husband, Bobby Gillis; son, Bart Gillis; siblings, Mary Lou Graham, Margaret Greer, Barbara Hammonds, Sherrill Larkins, Thomas Hammonds, and Ronnie Hammonds.

A visitation will be held at East Lawn Funeral Home from 12:00pm-1:00pm on July 18th, 2025. Funeral services to follow at 1:00pm, and burial immediately after at East Lawn Memorial Park.