Betty Ann Rorrer

Betty Ann Rorrer, 81, most recently of Newport, TN, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, March 1. She was born Betty Ann Pyatt in Pine Branch, WV on December 28, 1943, to Cleo Pyatt and spent the majority of her life in southern WV. She loved telling friends (she never knew a stranger) that she was born in a shed, albeit a shed that had been converted into an apartment. Her father away during WWIl and her mother unable to raise her alone in rural 1943 WV, Cleo made the heartbreaking decision to allow her only daughter to be adopted by Fred and Rosie Combs Rorrer, unable to have children of their own, adopted her in 1944 at six months old. They had visited with several children, but Rosie stated she knew Betty was the one the minute she saw her. Cleo told them when the milk she had on hand ran out, she would send for them. She was preceded in death by Cleo, Fred and Rosie, her brothers Jimmy Pyatt and Ronald Wilson.
Betty loved cooking for and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cookbooks, pictures of her great grandchildren and frequent "care packages" from her son and daughter-in-law were her favorite gifts. She is survived by her children Tina Louise Rorrer of Fuquay Varina, NC, Annetta Rose Dyer of Newport, TN and Scott Fulton Rorrer (Anne) of Garner, NC. She was the last surviving grandparent for her grandchildren Stephanie Michelle Hartsell (Chris) with whom she lived and was very close and Justin Lee Tucker (Lynn) of Newport, TN, Amy Beth Taylor (David) of Fuquay Varina, NC, Allison Emily Taylor (Clay) of Corolla, NC and Josh Marek of Garner, NC. Her greatest pride and joy were her great-granddaughters Haley Malea Baker of Cherokee, NC, Emily Rose Tucker and Lily Mae Hartsell of Newport, TN, Ava Rose Sherrod of Fuquay Varina, NC, and Autumn Nicole Campbell Tucker. Every phone call ended with "tell my girls I love them".
She is also survived by her brother Virgil Pyatt and his wife, Darlene, whom she loved like a sister and even though he stood almost 6' to her 5' nothing, she always called Virgil her baby brother and loved him dearly.
Betty had many sister friends in her life. She was preceded in death by her best friend since childhood Judy Bond, loving Judy's daughter Sherry like one of her own. She was also preceded in death by her friend Diane Workman. She had three friends with which she spoke almost daily, Shirley Accord of Lester, WV, Glenna of Eccles, WV and Dolly of Newport, TN.
When she spoke with Shirley on the day before she passed, she was making plans for their next visit, when she planned on bringing her newest cookbook and cooking for them their favorite recipe.
Along with her cooking and outgoing nature, she will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved her for her big heart, her wicked sense of humor that frequently left jaws dropped and her unfiltered opinions of anyone or any subject.
Family visitation will be at Manes Funeral Home in Newport, TN on Monday, March 3, 2025
Per her instruction, her ashes will be returned to her beloved WV for burial with her mother and father, Fred and Rosie, at the Clay Cemetery in Dameron, WV on Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Family and friends may sign the guest register online at: www.manesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements with Manes Funeral Home.