Betty Martin Stanton Neely

Funeral services for Betty Martin Stanton Neely 91, of Cookeville, TN will be conducted Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Visitation shall commence at 11 am and continue to 1 pm, at which time services will be conducted by Brother Joe Roberts. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Cemetery in Cookeville. Serving as pallbearers are Robert Stanton, Jess shipley, Gavin Bartlett, Dylan Shipley, John Alex Bilbrey and David Cheek. She is survived by son, Sandy Stanton (Beverly) of Cookeville; daughter, Sally Shipley Tucker (Kevin) of Cookeville; four grandchildren, Robert Stanton (Whitney) of Winston-Salem North Carolina, Christi Cheek (Tim) of Sterrett, AL, Beth Shipley of Cookeville, and Jess Shipley ( Micheal) of Navarre Beach, FL; 11 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Bennett, and Carson Stanton; David and Cahlin Cheek; Gavin Bartlett; John Alex Bilbrey; Dylan, Sarah, Bo and Luke Shipley; and two great-great-grandchildren, Kaitiebeth Bartlett and Shipley Bartlett. The family includes a special friend, Rebecca LaPoint who was a special caregiver for many years and loved Betty as her "Lou-Lou". Betty Neely departed for heaven Friday, November 22, 2019. She was peaceful and surrounded by her loving family, the dedicated, faithful team of Bailey Manor, and the special caregivers of Avalon Hospice. Betty was born April 23, 1928 in Baxter, TN. To Kemper Martin of McMinnville and Florence Johnson Martin of Baxter, TN. She attended Baxter Seminary and graduated from Cookeville Central High School where she played basketball for the legendary Eddie "Jelly" Watson. Betty was a pioneer in the landscape industry in the 1950's and 60's, providing design-build services throughout Middle Tennessee, executing residential and commercial projects. She loved plants and had exceptional talent for their composition in landscape, while also incorporating walkways, patios, terraces and other features. Betty's landscape expertise was influenced by her grandfather, William Louis Johnson of Baxter, one of Tennessee's first commercial nurserymen, and her uncles, Willard and J.T. Johnson. Maintaining that family tradition is her first cousin, Chuck Johnson of Johnson's Garden Center, wife Sarah and sons David and Charlie. Also following in her footsteps is her great-grandson, Gavin Bartlett. Betty and her first husband, Charles Stanton, were part of the founding members of Collegeside Church of Christ in the early 1950's, where she remained a member until her death. Betty enjoyed traveling with her husband, Chuck. She put the "H" in hospitality, the "C" in charm, and was the epitome of the "beautiful, southern lady". She loved and was extremely proud of Sandy and Sally, as well as her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the two great-great grandchildren. The family wishes to express their love and appreciation for which words are not sufficient to the entire team at Bailey Manor, who exemplified in an exception manner what love, joy, peace and caregiving are all about. Just as exceptional was the care shown by all the members of Avalon Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request donations be made to the Veterans Honor Guard, P.O. Box 67, Cookeville, TN 38503, or to Avalon Hospice, 1080 Neal St. Ste. 300, Cookeville, TN. 38501. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.