PIKEVILLE - Betty Lee Justice Tanner, 89, of Elder Lane, Pikeville, passed into Heaven on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at the Pikeville Medical Center following a brief hospitalization. Betty Lee, born October 1, 1923, was the daughter of the late Tilda Deskins Justice and Fred G. Justice of Grapevine, KY. She was preceded in death by her husband or 45 years, John Edward Tanner of Freeburn, their daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Tanner, and a sister, Ernestine Justice Hinton. Betty Lee leaves two sisters to mourn her passing; Mary Lou Cool of Meta and Kathryn Justice Slone of Lexington, KY. She is survived by two daughters; Jean Tanner of Louisville and Jennefer Waddell of Pikeville, as well as a grandson, John Ross Kimberlin of Nashville, TN. She is also survived by a step-mother, Christine Thacker Justice and two half-sisters, Ardith Daniel and Diane Donaldson of Mt. Sterling, KY. Reared on Grapevine Creek, Betty Lee attended Grapevine Elementary, Feds Creek High School, Pikeville college and Eastern Kentucky University. With a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Masters degree in Education and an advanced degree specializing in Educational Administration and Supervision, Betty Lee taught and served as Principal at Freeburn Elementary for 44 years. After she and John moved to Pikeville in 1985, she became Director of the Pikeville Methodist Nursery School, and enjoyed another 19 years of teaching preschoolers. It was a special joy for her to hear of her many students' studies, education and successes through the years. Visitation will be held at the Pikeville United Methodist Church at 1pm Sat, October 6, 2012. The funeral services, with Rev. Brad Smart officiating will be immediately at 2pm with burial following in the Davidson Memorial Gardens at Ivel, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Pikeville United Methodist Church or the University of Pikeville. The guestbook may be signed online at www.jwcallfuneralhome.com
Published in Lexington Herald-Leader on October 6, 2012
