Betsy Jo Hill
Betsy Jo Hill, 61, met Jesus face to face on Saturday, May 31, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Terre Haute, In., Betsy and her mother moved to Chattanooga when she was a teen. A graduate of East Ridge High School, she earned her education degree from UTC, before beginning a teaching career that spanned 30 years at Chattanooga Valley Elementary.
As a teacher, Betsy touched the lives of countless children, but her greatest impact was on the family she loved so dearly. How can you possibly put that into words? She was everything to her family: The love of our life. Our best friend. The one we all leaned on. Our advocate. The one that never gave up on us. The person we all wanted to talk to. A listener we all sought for advice. The one who could always fix things. The constant in our lives. The one we all depended on. Our beam of light. The person we knew loved us most.
Betsy always had a quiet determination. When cancer came unexpectedly, she resolved herself to beat it, and she never thought for a moment that things were not going to work out. It was her relentless positive attitude and unshakeable faith that kept those around her filled with hope. Her strength and fighting spirit inspired us all.
Betsy was effortlessly happy. She was easily content and took pleasure in simple things. She had many interests, but especially enjoyed cooking delicious meals, doing crafts, and traveling all across America with her family. She was of the Christian faith and loved spending time with the Lord during her daily devotions.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Flora Ferguson; sister-in-law, Barbara Neal; and step-daughter, Gabrielle Hill.
Her passing is mourned by her adoring husband, Kenan Hill; loving children Aaron Wilson, Annabel Hill, and John Hill; dependable brother, John Neal; nephew Joseph Neal and wife Luci; niece Jeanne Cecil and husband Jeremy; great nieces Ava Cecil, Zoe Cecil, and Flora Neal; and great nephew Elliott Cecil; mother-in-law, Marion Lomenick; brother-in-law Kelly Hill and wife Renee; niece Abby Nerswick and husband Nathan; nephew Noah Hill; and brother-in-law, Kerry Hill; as well as numerous cousins, friends, coworkers, students, parents, and church members stretching far and wide.
Special thanks to the Georgia Girls for providing the beautiful flowers.
Special thanks are also given to the compassionate doctors, nurses, and staff of the Erlanger Oncology floor (WW7) who cared so well for Betsy the past eight weeks.
Heritage Funeral Home of Fort Oglethorpe will host visitation from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. A service will be held at 2 p.m. in the chapel on Sunday, June 8. Interment will be private.