Betty Ernestine DeBusk

DeBusk, Betty E. age 90, of Knoxville, TN passed away Monday, July 26, 2021. Betty received her RN Certification from Baptist School of Nursing and received her BS from the University of TN. Her nursing career began at Baptist Hospital, then she was recruited to run the Labor & Delivery Department as a charter employee for the new University of Tennessee Hospital. Betty remained at UT Hospital until her retirement in 1993. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Halls where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, President of the United Methodist Women and a Lay Leader. Betty was active with several organizations to include Church Women United, the Red Cross, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Wesley House and Partners for Children. She was also a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Betty was in the original 1969 cast of the Knoxville Nativity Pageant.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mary Alice Helton of Maryville, TN; husband of 65 years, Robert DeBusk; siblings, Hugh, Bruce, Carl, Ray, Olin and Winston Helton and Doris Hendrix.

Betty is survived by sons, Eddie DeBusk and wife, Gail, Danny DeBusk and wife, Katrina, Kenny DeBusk; daughter, Debbie Duncan and husband, Steve; grandsons, Derek and Ryan Duncan, Bradley, David, Kevin, Brent, Preston, Brian and Adam DeBusk; 14 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Almeda Helton, Lyda Helton; a host of nieces and nephews.

Due to Covid, the family held a private service with burial at Lynnhurst Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.