Betty Lou Thorne Burton, 88, of Columbia, KY died Friday, January 1, 2021 at Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville, KY. Born in Sullivan, IN she was the daughter of the late Palmer Evert Thorne, who died at an early age of 44 in Shelburn, IN and Lois Marie Railsback Thorne, who died at the age of 67 in Columbia, KY.
Betty Lou was the wife and friend to her dearly departed husband, Jr. Burton, of Burton Ridge, KY. She had a wicked sense of humor and strong willed opinions. Betty Lou assisted her husband on the family farm while working full time at the County Clerk’s Office from 1950 to 1967. She then went to work for Lindsey Wilson College in administration while attending college classes. Betty Lou later attended Campbellsville College to obtain her teaching credentials and began teaching special needs children in Adair County. Later she attended Western Kentucky University to obtain her Master’s Degree. Betty Lou retired from teaching in 2000.
She enjoyed her friends especially, Mable Ruth Bryant who called her every day without fail and Tony Burton a helpful neighbor who visited her weekly to make her life a little easier. Betty Lou attended Beulah Chapel Church for over 60 years and most recently attended the Columbia Church of Christ.
She realized one of her dreams by buying a house in Columbia close to Lindsey Wilson College. Betty Lou had been a resident of an assisted living facility in Campbellsville (Bluegrass Way) for the past year before a short illness.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a half-brother, Richard Eugene Thorne; a nephew, Doyne Eugene Thorne; and a niece, Elsie Ann Thorne Brunhocber.
SURVIVORS:
2 children: Patrick Curry and Cathy Curry Birlew (Nick), both of Stockton, CA
Funeral Service: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 1:00pmCT at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home
Burial: Haven Hill Cemetery
Visitation: After 11:00amCT on Thursday at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home
For the health and respect of the family, please follow all rules for social distancing and everyone attending will be required to wear a mask or face covering. At the family’s request the funeral service will be live-streamed on the Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home Facebook Page.
Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
