Betty L. Newby

Born September 5, 1930, in Wichita, Kansas, she was the daughter of Claude “Jack” and Bessie Frank Kennerly. In 1938, her family relocated to El Dorado, Arkansas, where she and her siblings Dale and Burda spent much of their childhood.

Betty later moved to Little Rock in 1948 to attend Arkansas Baptist School of Nursing, graduating in 1951 as a registered nurse specializing in neonatal care.

During her nursing training, she met Richard Wales Newby of England, Arkansas, a World War II Navy veteran who had served in the Pacific as a ship’s electrician. The couple married on September 15, 1951, shortly after she completed her studies.

The Newbys made their home in the city where they had met and became active members of the Temple Baptist Church community. Betty worked in the church nursery caring for Little Rock’s “littlest” congregation while Richard taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served as a deacon.

Betty devoted her time to her children, Phillip and Regina, as they grew up on Talmage Drive, and to her patients, in need of her expert care at the Arkansas Baptist Hospital. She served several years as a nurse there and later mentored new generations of nurses on the floor.

After distinguished professional careers, the Newbys traveled widely: from Rome, Italy to Nome, Alaska! In 2005, the couple relocated to East Tennessee, where they enjoyed many more years of leisure together until Richard’s death in 2016 at age 91.

Betty remained in Knoxville near her daughter’s family and her new church families at Emory Valley Missionary Baptist Church and West Haven Baptist Church prior.

She was a devoted grandmother to four grandchildren and is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and extended family, including her brother Dale and his wife Jennette, her brother-in-law David, Claudia and Eugene, and Emma. She is also remembered by the thoughtful staff of The Courtyards community and her dedicated caregivers at Caris Hospice.

Betty most loved her family, her faith, the folks in her care… and the delicate wings of nature’s butterflies that carry a quiet reminder of God’s grace—and the fleeting wonder of a life lived fully.

Services will be held at Berry Funeral Home in Knoxville on Tuesday, April 28, at 2pm and include a special graveside ceremony on Thursday, April 30, at 3pm at Pine Crest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas.