Betty Jane Askew Tharrington

Betty Jane Askew Tharrington was born September 24, 1936 to Broughton and Emmie Askew. She passed peacefully Wednesday March 12, 2025. Bett was proceeded in death by her husband Fred Tharrington, son, Trent Tharrington, great grandson, Spencer Dalton Tharrington and brother Bill Askew. Bett was born in Hobgood and moved when she was 4 years old to her family’s new farm in Dortches, NC. As she grew up on the farm, she learned many traits that would carry her throughout her life. Bett graduated from Red Oak High School in 1954 and went on to college at Peace in Raleigh. She majored in Business and minored in music. She learned to play the pipe organ while at Peace and she loved it. Her parents would pick her up each Saturday and bring her back to Dortches where she would play every Sunday at Dortches Baptist Church. She graduated from Peace and met Fred on a blind date. They married at Dortches Baptist Church. She was an excellent cook, seamstress, mother, and grandmother. She and Fred married and had 5 boys! 5 boys she would always say, can you believe it! One of her favorite stories would be the doctor would say in the delivery room; it is another boy Mrs. Tharrington!! She loved her boys! She said you could never miss a day of laundry, oh the socks! Her family recipes are loved by her entire family. She was a true southern woman. She was the secretary at Parker Middle School for over 20 years, she said she kept that school running! She loved all the students and even in the last few years of her life would see them out and loved when they came up to talk to her. After retirement she and Fred enjoyed traveling to the beach. The family would joke do not get in the car with them, you never know where you might end up, Key West, Atlantic Beach, Williamsburg just to name a few! Bett always told her family to take it “one day at a time” and “to take care of yourself and each other.” What a blessing she was to everyone. Betty Jane is survived by her boys, Mark (Darlene), Blake (Lottie), Scott (Lisa), Rob (Danelle), her grandchildren, Kyle (Carol), Leigh (Matt), Tanner (Bailee), Zack, Emily (Taylor), Dalton (Logan), Katherine, greatgrandchildren, Boone, Drew, Spencer, Tyson, Hollan and Erin Blake. The family would like to thank Latricia McWilliams and all the staff at Brekenridge Assisted Living for their love and compassion to Bett. All the caregivers there were a blessing to her. Also a special friend, Jean Bell, her shopping partner and lunch buddy for many years. A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 11:00 am, Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation to follow.

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Betty Jane Askew Tharrington

September 24, 1936 - March 12, 2025