Bettye Jane Rafferty

Bettye Jane Underwood Rafferty of Campbellsville, the daughter of the late Robert Frank Underwood and Hallie Bird Ingram Underwood, was born April 8, 1939, in Green County, KY, and departed this life on November 17, 2025, at the Green River Trails Nursing Home in Greensburg, KY. She was 86 years of age.

Bettye is now celebrating with the Lord after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Bettye was a daughter of Christ, starting her relationship with the Lord at Beech Grove Baptist Church as a child. She enjoyed sermons on television and gospel music when attending services in person wasn't an option. One of her greatest joys was lifting her voice in praise, and she sounded like an angel. In her youth, she enjoyed performing in a local radio show with her two sisters, Susan and Shirley. From an early age, Bettye had a passion for fashion design and textiles, which she pursued throughout life, having achieved two degrees in Fashion Merchandising and graduating at the top of her class. During her life, she hand-crafted hundreds of original designs, including daily and work wear, decor, costumes, and formal wear for many clients, family, and for herself. Several of her gowns have been worn by Miss Kentucky pageant winners and featured in articles. Bettye is a lifetime member of the May Chapter No. 783 Order of the Eastern Star in Norris City, Il. She retired from Taylor Regional Hospital after more than 20 years of service in Nutrition. In her retirement years, Bettye rescued stray cats, talked about picking walnuts on the ridge, crocheted many blankets for the family, and studied scripture daily.

Bettye was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Rafferty, her brother Samuel and wife Helen Underwood, two sisters, Susan Dobson and Shirley Thompson, and a host of other loved ones.

She united in marriage to Robert Brown, who preceded her in death, and she later married Carroll Rafferty, who also preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by two sisters, and one brother, Susan Dobson, Shirley Thompson, and Samuel Underwood.

She is survived by three daughters and one son: Martina Marshall of Campbellsville, Paula Dytzel (Eric) of Nashville, Joseph Brown (Anita) of Illinois, and Monica Levi (Ronen) of California.

Also surviving are 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and one brother, Robert "Bill" Underwood, and his wife, Teressa of West Virginia.

The funeral service for Bettye Jane Underwood Rafferty will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 1 pm at the L.R. Petty Funeral Home chapel with entombment to follow in the Campbellsville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Bro. Jim Durham will officiate.

The family has requested visitation on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 5 -8 pm at the funeral home and again on Thursday until the time of the service.