OBITUARY Betty Runyan Kilgo March 26, 1930 – December 2, 2018 Play Tribute Movie On December 2, 2018, Betty Runyan Kilgo (GrandBetty) finished her task here on earth surrounded by her family. She left behind a legacy of love to her family and wide array of friends. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, teacher, and mentor.
Since health issues began in March, 2014, she fought with the same dignity, grace, courage, and resilience with which she lived her life. She was born in Etowah County on March 26, 1930. She was a graduate of Etowah High School in 1947.
At age 50, she began to pursue her college education and became a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a degree in art education. She exuded love for art and teaching, which was displayed throughout her career as an art teacher. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, James Kilgo.
She is survived by her daughters, Anna Harris (Wayne Harris) and Jennifer Kilgo (Alan Bruton) and three grandchildren, James Harris, Francie Harris Kaufman (Smylie), and Anna Katherine (AK) Bruton. Betty’s greatest joy came from being a devoted grandmother to AK, James, and Francie. Betty also was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Herman Runyan, and her siblings, Dorothy Sauls, Herman Runyan, Billy Runyan, and Gailor Campbell.
She leaves to cherish her memory a supportive extended family that includes one sister, Rita Runyan Hall (Bob), one sister-in-law, Christine Kilgo Houk, and many devoted nieces and nephews of both the Runyan and Kilgo families. As important to Betty as her family were her many friends and colleagues. She cherished relationships above all else, and she developed lifelong friendships through her work, church, and art affiliations.
We are left with a lifetime of memories to honor her. Betty lived life to the fullest. She continued to work, travel and enjoy life, taking every opportunity to see and be with the people she loved.
Over the past four and half years when she encountered significant health issues, so many people worked tirelessly to support her. Betty’s last years were spent at home, where she was lovingly cared for by her caregivers and family. Betty’s presence will live forever in all we do and her influence will be felt for the balance of our lives.
On December 6, 2018, a private family burial will take place at 11:00 AM at Forest Cemetery, and a memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Attalla, Alabama, with visitation at 1:00 PM. Should friends desire, the family will receive flowers and has designated her favorite organizations for memorial contributions: The RISE Center of the Stallings Center (600 Johnny Stallings Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401) and The Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation (501 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35901).
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