Bettie "Betty" Jo Wardwell, 89, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends, on Feb. 26, 2025.

She was born in Old Hickory, Tennessee, on Oct. 17, 1935. She was the fourth child of five children to Clure C. and Ersie Lee (Sherrel) Crowder. When she was five years old, her family moved to Anderson.

Her career started when she was 15 years old and she began waitressing at Chan's Cafe and Good Earth Restaurant. She also worked 18 years at the Edginn Restaurant, Yancey's in Lapel, and Family Network as a site teacher (eight years) and a full-time mother and GG. Betty had also been a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Unit 212, since 1989.

On Sept. 12, 1975, she married Thomas Wardwell, and they spent 48 years together until his passing in October 2023.

Betty was the quintessential green thumb, spending many hours planting in her garden and tending to her flowers. She loved watching her hummingbirds, and was something of a social hummingbird herself, as she was always full of charisma and enjoyed interacting with others. She was an avid euchre player and could often be found on the porch swing, but her most favorite past time was scratching off lottery tickets and dining out. People would always boast about her delicious homemade peanut butter fudge, coleslaw, and ham salad.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom; one sister, Ruth (Crowder) Young; two brothers, Edward Crowder and Fred Crowder; and grandson, Ryan Matthew Wright Blackwell.

She is survived by her baby brother who she loved with all her heart, Ernest Lee Crowder (wife, Susan); her five children, Connie Jo McLaughlin, Patsy Jeffries (husband, Jeff), Teresa Wright-Albers (husband, Mark), Michael Wright (wife, Kim), and David Kowalski; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; special former sister-in-law, Loretta Sue "Susie" Wright Lennon (husband, Don); and her extended family.

Final care for Betty was given by and entrusted by David (son) and Teresa (daughter) and Harper & Dunnichay Funeral Home at Frankton.

Her services have been scheduled for next Friday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Online condolences may be given at www.dunnichayfuneralhome.com.