Betty Jo French Bray

Betty Jo French Bray, 70, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 25, at home while surrounded by her family.

Betty was born June 2, 1942, in Knoxville. She was a lifelong resident of Oliver Springs.

Before her sickness, she was employed in the Catalog Department at JCPenney  in Oak Ridge, and she worked with her family, as a clerk, at French’s Market in Oliver Springs.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of the New Fairview Baptist Church.

She enjoyed quilting and crafts, flower gardening, and sewing, and her family was the center of her life.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, James “Eddie” French and Mamie May French; by a sister, Shirley Huling; and by brothers, Jimmy French, Ronald Howard French, and Thaxton French.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Roger Bray of Oliver Springs; by daughters, Nancy Hawkins and husband Roy of Clinton, Tammy Ollis and husband Jeff of Oliver Springs, and Karen Perry and husband Randy of Elgin, S.C.; by grandchildren, Michael Welch, Ashley McConnell and husband, Kevin, Candace Welch, Jeffery Ollis and wife Jennifer, Randall Perry and Roger Tyler Perry; and by eight great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by sisters, Mattie Freeman and husband R.J., Elaine Johnson and husband Malcolm, and Lois Yarborough and husband Jerry, all of Oliver Springs; by brothers, Robert Gene French and fiancé Marci Hayes of Knoxville, and Ray French and wife Sheila of Oliver Springs; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and special friends including Linda Hill, Evelyn Vowell, Mary and Bill Anderson, and Karolyn and John Barnes.

The family received friends, Thursday, Dec. 27, at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor John Edwards officiating.

Burial and graveside services were held Friday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. at the New Fairview Cemetery in Oliver Springs.

The Bray family expresses their gratitude to Covenant Hospice and nurse Joyce Lloyd for all the care given to Betty during her illness and to Michael Thompson, MD, and staff at the Cumberland Oncology Center.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.