Bettie Starkey

Bettie Starkey, age 75 of Cottage Grove, died Sunday, February 23, 2020, at her home.

She was a member of Olive Branch United Methodist Church. She was active in the Reelfoot Ministries, and Mountain Missions, and loved being active in her church. She referred to Olive Branch as “a little church with a big heart”. She loved her grandkids and great grandkids and collecting salt and pepper shakers. She was affectionally known as “The Cup Lady”.

Bettie was born on March 22, 1944, in Trimble, TN, to the late Melvin Sturdivant and to the late Mary Lou Isabell Hawkins.

She married March 16, 1962 to John Thomas Starkey, who preceded her in death on January 21, 2007.

Bettie is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Brenda Peery of Puryear, TN; one son, John W. Starkey of Nashville, TN; one sister, Paula Jones of Prescott Arizona; four grandchildren, Joshua Peery, Benjamin Peery, Elizabeth Peery Hixson, and Ashley Scoggins; 9 great grandchildren, and her special friends, Jonathan and Mary Katherine Miller of Cottage Grove, TN; and Marlon and Orphra Wagler of Cottage Grove, TN.

In addition to her parents and husband she was also preceded in death by a son, William Michael Starkey on October 30, 2019.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St., Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Tuesday, February 25, 2020, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Olive Branch United Methodist Church, and continue Wednesday, February 26, 2020, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at Olive Branch United Methodist Church, 2620 State Hwy 140 North, Cottage Grove, TN 38224. The funeral service will be Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 11:00 am at Olive Branch United Methodist Church, with Mike Wimberley, Harold Stricker, and Marlon Wagler officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jamie Scoggins, Ben Peery, James Hixson, Shorty Akers, Charles Mullins, Edwin Ables, Jonathan Miller, and Marlon Wagler.

Burial will follow in the Olive Branch Cemetery, in Cottage Grove, TN.