Betty Banks Arnest

1923 - 2022

ARNEST, Mrs. Betty Banks Norris, 99, died peacefully at her home in Kinsale, surrounded by loved ones, on November 13, 2022. She was known far and wide for her beauty and hospitality, and was admired for the steadfast courage and grace she showed in facing numerous challenges throughout her life.

Betty was born on September 24, 1923, at Plainview, and was raised by her aunt and uncle, Jane Norris Parks and Walter D. Parks, across the river in the heart of Kinsale. There, she was doted on by Jane and Walter, and raised alongside their son, Norris. She enjoyed playing dress up, walking down the hill to the Floating Theater whenever it was in town and visiting neighbors any time they were baking something sweet.

On June 24, 1944, she married Harry Lee Arnest Jr., a Hague native and Naval Academy graduate, in a candlelit service at Kinsale Methodist Church. Early in 1946, they moved to Key West, where Lee had submarine duty and there, she gave birth to their first child, Harry Lee Arnest III. Three weeks later, she was admitted to the Naval Hospital in Key West with flu-like symptoms which turned out to be polio. After a two-month hospital stay, she was transferred to Warm Springs, Ga., for another seven months of therapy. When she was finally released, they returned to Kinsale, where they would later welcome a daughter, Jane Tyler Arnest, on April 1, 1953. Betty never regained the full use of her legs, but she succeeded in living a busy, active, happy life.

Betty was always stylish, making the most of every social occasion and special gathering; she loved jewelry and clothes, and had a knack for putting outfits together. Betty and Lee were renowned for entertaining. They opened their home on Sloop Point for community events, family parties, an annual 4th of July party and countless good times. Betty's warm and fun-loving nature was appreciated by a wide range of friends of all ages.

Betty and Lee's children predeceased them early on, with their son dying at the age of 41 and their daughter at the age of 50. Lee lived until 2009, and together, he and Betty helped raise their son's three children, Will, Annie and Lee. Besides her grandchildren, Betty is survived by her great-granddaughter, Stasia; by her daughter-in-law, Alice P. Moore; and by several nieces and nephews.

Betty's spirit is being carried on by her grandchildren: Will is devoted to his daughter, Stasia, passing on the attention and pure joy Betty always shared with him; Annie is lovingly restoring the marina in Kinsale that her grandparents started, turning it into a vibrant community center once again; and Lee has inherited her quick smile, easy laugh and gentle nature. As Betty was drifting off to gospel music in her bedroom during her final week, Stasia was playing in her jewelry box and dancing around in her gold heels.

Betty's funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Yeocomico Episcopal Church, 1233 Old Yeocomico Road, Kinsale, Virginia 22488, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cople Parish Churches, P.O. Box 249, Kinsale, Va. 22488, or to The Kinsale Foundation, P.O. Box 307, Kinsale, Va. 22488.