Betty Jean Overton Beckler

Betty Jean Overton Beckler, age 83, of Glencoe, Alabama, was born August 18, 1939, in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Grew up on the family farm in Speedwell, Tennessee, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 8, 2023, following an extended illness in Gadsden, Alabama.

Betty was a wonderful, faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a graduate of Powell Valley High School in Speedwell, Tennessee and was the valedictorian of her senior class. She earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in Dietary Science from Duke University. She served as a dietitian at Gadsden Baptist Hospital for 25+ years. After her retirement from the hospital, she served as a dietary consultant for Big Oak Ranch. She was a member of Twelfth Street Baptist Church for 55 years, and she served as a Sunday School teacher and director at Hopkin’s Mission for 50 years. She also served as the Acteens Mission Organization leader at Twelfth Street for many years. She was a founding member of the Gadsden area Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) organization, advocating for the rights of the mentally disabled. Her hobbies included traveling, camping, homemaking, and creek bank living. She was a member of the Noccalula Campers.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband David Lee Beckler, parents Roy & Mary Overton, brother LeRoy Overton, and sister Magaline Cable. She is survived by her three daughters Mary Nelle Beckler, Gadsden, AL, Melanie (Keith) Wrenn, Rainsville, AL, and Melissa (Jim) Porter, Fort Pierce, FL; seven grandchildren Amber (Caleb) Martin, Odenville, AL, Caleb (Courtney) Wrenn, Pell City, AL, Daniel (Anna Lea) Wrenn, Huntsville, AL, Emily Grace Wrenn, Rainsville, AL, Lee (Carly) Porter, Port St. Lucie, FL, Sam Porter, Fort Pierce, FL, Lillian Porter, Fort Pierce, AL; along with 10 great grandchildren; her bother Eddie (Sheila) Overton, Maryville, TN, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins; special care giver, Darlene (Greg) Dial who cared for Betty as if she was her mother.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lee Porter, Sam Porter, Daniel Wrenn, Caleb Wrenn, Caleb Martin, Tommy Wilcox, Darryl Overton, Joey Cable, and Weston Overton. Honorary Pallbearers will be Amiliano Wrenn, Titus Wrenn, Gideon Wrenn, and Isaac Wrenn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Etowah Baptist Association, 853 Walnut Street, Gadsden Alabama 35901 or Big Oak Ranch, 250 Jake Mintz Road, Gadsden, Alabama 35905.

A special thanks is extended to the Gadsden Regional ICU Nurses and the staff at Gadsden Health & Rehab.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. preceded by visitation from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, Gadsden, Alabama, Dr. Craig Carlisle officiating. Betty will be laid to rest at Crestlawn Cemetery Copperhill, Tennessee, Sunday, March 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (EST) with graveside officiants of Dr. Keith Wrenn and Reverend Daniel Wrenn presiding.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Beckler family.