Betty Lucille Martin Blakely Thompson passed away at Stoneridge of Farmington Assisted Living in Corinth, Miss., on Nov. 3, 2025, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Visitation was held at Shackleford Funeral Home – East Main in Henderson from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 7. and at Sanford Hill Baptist Church from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday.
Funeral services were at Sanford Hill Baptist Church in Henderson at 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 with burial following at Ramer Baptist Cemetery.
She was born on Sept. 19, 1939, to Harry Franklin Martin and Janie Tennessee Cleek Martin in Danceyville. She was a gifted seamstress who worked in various manufacturing companies throughout West Tennessee, retiring from Levi Strauss in 1984. After the plant closed, she worked diligently to earn her GED, allowing her to serve as a substitute teacher for the McNairy County School District for several years. One of her favorite jobs was working at Gleaners House Thrift Store.
She was active in the Women of the Moose for years and served as an officer for the Selmer Chapter in the 80s. Later, she became very active in the Sanford Hill Baptist Church, serving in both the library, the nursery and sang in the choir. She loved volunteering at the VFW and the Senior Center in the Henderson area.
One of her favorite activities was playing baseball with the children the VFW served. She loved babies and children and had a vast doll collection. She also loved to quilt and made sure everyone she loved had a handmade quilt.
One of Betty’s favorite pastimes was listening to music, dancing and singing. She would always be the first on the dance floor and would still dance and sing every time she heard a song. She and Don shared so many trips together. They traveled to several countries throughout Europe, Alaska and their favorite destination, Hawaii.
She is survived by her husband, Don Thompson of Henderson; a brother, Earl Martin of Lamar, Miss.; her children, Judy and David Jarnagin of Corinth, Miss., Connie and Ken Jarnagin of Bethel Springs, Tammy and Jimmy Norris of Weatherford, Texas, Ricky and Angel Blakely of Boaz, Ala., Thomas Attaway and Joanie McMahon of Iowa City, Iowa, Mike and Tammy Blakely of Selmer, Wendy and Diego Cardenas of Cunningham, Brock and Dujuana Thompson of Corinth, Miss. and Lynna and Ronald Shelton of Henderson; 22 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her son, William Franklin Walls; her husband of 30 years, Paul Blakely; five brothers; five sisters; a grandson, Noah Jarnagin; and one granddaughter, Jasmine Barmer.
