Betty Jo (Deaton) Allen

Betty Jo Deaton Allen, 83, of Midland passed at her home on June 12 after giving cancer a 3 year run for its money. She is preceded in death by her son Samuel James Allen, her parents Joe Ed and Elsie Deaton and one brother James Roger Deaton.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, 11 months, and 25 days, Rev James Allen. Their daughters Susan (Eddie) Dennison, Sally Hudson, Sharon (Rick) Kinney and 3 grandchildren, Dr Marie Dennison, Benjamin Dennison, and Samantha Jo (John) Barclay along with 4 bonus grandchildren, Josh Kinney, Jenny (Chris) Stein, Nick Kinney and Matthew Kinney and 2 great grandsons, Carter and Emmitt Stein survive. Her children and grandchildren will carry her witty one liners and laughs for decades. In addition she is survived by 3 siblings, Floyd (Sibil) Deaton, Henry (Beverly) Deaton, and Glenda Sue (Jack) Miller along with countless nieces and nephews. Born in Combs, Kentucky she proudly recalled her childhood days growing up in a coal camp in Breathitt County before her family moved to Austin, Indiana. She attended the Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute and Morehead State University. In adulthood, Betty was a school teacher, house wife, and piano teacher, though her true calling was that of a pastor’s wife. She served in this role at Woodsbend Community Church, Grayson Nazarene Church, Index Community Church and was the cofounder of the Lakeview Community Church in 1999, where she served until the final weeks of her life. She taught children’s church, led women’s fellowship, wrote newspaper articles, worked youth camps, mailed bulletins, and served as a song leader in addition to innumerable unnamed roles. She prayed tirelessly for her parishioners for the 60+years of her ministry and led countless people to Christ. She was the epitome of the virtuous woman King Solomon describes in Proverbs. Even as her body failed, she never muttered a complaint, but rather maintained her eternally joyful spirit, thanking the Lord for the good moments with her family, cards from friends, and wildlife outside her window. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She passed down the “Deaton laugh,” marked by fits of the giggles at the most inopportune times to her children and grandchildren. She was the best storyteller, with a flare for the dramatic and had a contagious laugh, the combination of which could bring any room to tears laughing along with her or scare you out of your wits during campfire stories. She was a birdwatcher, gardener, and could beat anyone at Scrabble. She was a collector of all things and a wonderful chef. She is likely single handedly responsible for the waist lines of half of Morgan and Bath counties as her jelly, bread, and derby pies were second to none. Her family is heartbroken at her passing, but rejoices that she is now strolling the streets of Heaven cancer free with her loved ones who had passed before her and is undoubtedly humming a hymn.

Visitation will be 6:00pm-8:00pm on Sunday, June 14, and 9:00am-11:00am, Monday,June 15, at the Lakeview Community Church prior to her funeral with Rev. Mike Frisby and Rev. Eddie Dennison officiating. Burial will follow at the Grassy Lick Cemetery, Grassy Creek,KY. (Morgan County).Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home, West Liberty, KY. Pallbearers: Ben Dennison, Isaac Allen, Mike McKenzie, Bill Tackett, Gene Myers, Jimmy Henry,Gary Fanning, Damon Moore, Homer Moore, Dean Sargent.

COVID-19 regulations will be followed as set forth by Governor Beshear and the CDC. The family request that visitors respect their desire to keep everyone safe by practicing social distancing guidelines

In lieu flowers contributions are suggested in " Memory of Betty Jo Allen" to Lakeview Community Church, 581 Cave Run Lake Rd, Salt Lick, KY 40371.

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