Bettye Jean Cone

Born April 25, 1933 in Milledgeville, Tennessee to Homer and Deliah (Roy) Bishop, she married Rev. Thomas Richard Cone on August 19, 1950 in Corinth, Mississippi. He died April 26, 2012 in Morton. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Terry Ryan Cone on May 27, 2009 in Tremont; one grandson, Brent Thomas Cone and four brothers, Hulon Bishop, Paul Bishop, Michael Bishop and Buddy Bishop.

Surviving are two sons, Thomas Randall “Randy” (Elaine) Cone of Morton and Kevin (Kelly) Cone of Pekin; two daughters, Celinda “Cindy” (Steve) Johnson of Pekin and Lori (Kurt) Wagner of Morton; fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

A devoted homemaker, Bettye supported her husband in Christian ministry as he pastored South Pekin Congregation Church and Deer Creek Baptist Church for 25 years. While at South Pekin, she was blessed to be named mother of the year. Bettye was always involved in women’s ministry in the churches she was a part of.

Bettye had an eye for interior design and helped her son-in-law hang wallpaper as part of Dietrich Furniture in Morton, which was her family’s business. She also loved to garden and volunteered with the Midwest Food Bank. She made quilts and baby blankets to be shipped overseas.

She was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Groveland.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Drew Williquette will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will follow at Woodrow Cemetery in rural Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Midwest Food Bank, 700 Erie Avenue, Morton, IL 61550 or to Cornerstone Baptist Church, 18040 Unsicker Road, Groveland, IL 61535.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com