Betty Ruth Sanders Wheatley

Betty Ruth Sanders Wheatley, age 86 of Springville, TN, died Friday, February 26, 2021, at her residence.

She retired after many years from AT&T as a telephone operator.  She was a longtime member of Fairview Baptist Church in Paris.  Betty loved attending the Friday Night Blues at the Paris Civic Center.  She enjoyed making fried pies, baking coconut cakes, and crocheting.  She loved talking to people and attending funerals.

Betty was born June 3, 1934, in Mansfield, TN, to the late Raymond Sanders and the late Queenie Francisco Sanders.

She was married September 8, 1954, to Fred Wheatley, who preceded her in death on February 21, 2014.

She is survived by her three children, Jan (John) Bishop of Blaine, TN, Jeff (Jill) Wheatley of Tuscon, AZ, and Karen Lee of Springville, TN; five sisters, Virginia (Wesley) Walters of Vale, TN, Peggy Cate of Paris, Hazel Martin of Paris, Carol Vickers of Mansfield, TN, Kathy Collie of Mansfield, TN, and Luke Sanders of Mansfield, TN; six grandchildren, Jessica (Cory) Merritt, Jacqueline (Jay) LaGreca, Jimmy Coffin, Jalyn Wheatley, Katie Wright, and Jenna (Nick) Rossato; and three great grandchildren, Wesley Merritt, Charlotte Merritt, and Beau LaGreca.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Chuck Sanders and Ralph Sanders.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap St/PO Box 788, Paris, TN 38242.  Visitation will be Tuesday, March 2, 2021, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 pm at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home, with Dr. Johnathan Smith officiating.

Friends & family will serve as pallbearers.

Burial will be in Henry County Tabernacle Cemetery in Springville, TN.