Bettye Anne “B” Blevins Williams passed away peacefully at her home in Farmville, Virginia, on Oct. 18, 2026. Born in Versailles on May 11, 1931, B grew up on her family’s farm in Woodford County.
She attended Margaret Hall School and graduated from Versailles High School. She attended Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee, and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in education. At UK, B met and married her life partner, John Patton “Pat” Williams.
B and Pat settled in Versailles, where they became active citizens and devoted parents to their three children. B lived in Versailles for 76 years until she and Pat moved to Farmville to be closer to their children.
B’s faith was central to how she lived her life. She was a member of the Versailles Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, arranged flowers for Sunday worship services, volunteered for Vacation Bible School and was active in the women’s ministry. Once in Virginia, B became an active member of the Farmville United Methodist Church.
B also found purpose serving her community. She was a charter member of the Woodford Historical Society and the Woodford Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was active in the Woodford Gardeners, the Little Garden Club and the Jack Jouett House Heritage Committee. B served on the board of the Cleveland Home for Girls in Versailles, and she was instrumental in the establishment of the Heart of Virginia Free Clinic in Farmville.
B was dedicated to teaching and learning. Trained as a teacher, she brought her teaching skills to other aspects of her life, particularly as a mother. She organized time reading stories aloud as a family after dinner and during summers and led “field trips” to historic sites all over Central Kentucky. B’s love of learning led her to travel the world with Pat.
B was passionate about making her home beautiful both inside and out. She designed three of the homes she lived in, including fulfilling her childhood dream of restoring Elmwood, a historic home on Troy Pike. Above all, B loved to plan and install the landscape plantings at each of her homes, from trees and shrubs to flower, herb and vegetable gardens. She was happiest when nurturing her gardens.
B was a lifelong, avid UK football and basketball fan, attending many home games with Pat and their friends, and watching the Cats on television. B’s family was fond of saying that she “coached” the Cats, frequently to victory, whether in person or on television. The shared love of the Kentucky Wildcats was a source of great fun for the family. When not cheering for the Wildcats, B enjoyed reading and playing bridge.
Most of all, B loved her children and grandchildren and was engaged and interested in each of them until the end of her life. They will miss her greatly.
B is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, her mother, Nancy Mitchell Blevins, and her father, Laurence O. Blevins.
She is survived by her sister, Patsy Blevins, and brother-in-law, Ron Hazelett, of Englewood, Florida; her children, Pam Butler of Farmville, Virginia, Marc Williams (Nancy) of Alexandria, Virginia, and Larry Williams (Margo) of Freeport, Maine; her grandchildren, Cabell, Mitchell, Jack, Ford, Lea, Anne and Bridget; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would especially like to thank her loving caregivers and hospice staff for their kindness during her final months of life.
There will be visitations and Celebration of Life services in both Virginia and Kentucky. Visitation in Farmville, Virginia, will be on Friday, Oct. 30, from 10-11 a.m., and service at 11 a.m., at Puckett Funeral Home, 115 Covington Court. Visitation in Lexington, Kentucky, will be the following Monday, on Nov. 2, 1-2 p.m., and service at 2 p.m., at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Road. A private burial is scheduled at another time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Heart of Virginia Free Clinic via the webpage, or if mailing a check, 401 E 3rd St, Farmville, VA 23901, or Appalachia Service Project via the webpage, or if mailing a check, 4523 Bristol Hwy, Johnson City, TN 37601. Any digital or physical donations should be designated “In memory of Bettye Anne Williams.”
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