Betty Wilhelm

On November 1, 2018, Betty Jo Quillen-Wilhelm, age 87, passed away peacefully in the privacy of her own home surrounded by her loving family following a courageous, hard fought, year- long battle with terminal cancer. Betty had accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior as a young child at Gate City United Methodist Church during the 1930’s.She was born on March 8, 1931, in Johnson City, Tennessee. Betty was the fifth child of H.H. Quillen Sr. and Cora Vermillion Quillen of Gate City, Virginia. She was a proud 1947 graduate of Gate City’s Shoemaker High School. Betty was formerly employed by Mason-Dixon Trucking Company of Kingsport as a secretary. Next, she was a loyal dedicated 25 year employee of Kingsport, Tennessee’s Mead Paper Plant – Data Processing…from which she later proudly retired.Betty’s entire life was unselfishly dedicated to the loving care of her family and helping all others in need. Always firmly believing “It is far better to give than receive” she never failed to deny herself in order to make sure others were taken care of first. In two words, Betty was very “loving and generous” and never ever expected repayment of any kind. Just this year, she freely donated a 128 volume set of rare American Civil War research books to Gate City’s Scott County Library for public use in her childhood hometown. She was also very quick to donate to many children’s and police charities, too numerous to mention…for babies and public servants held a very special place in her large loving heart.Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Loy Ray Wilhelm; parents, H.M. Sr. and Cora Vermillion; brothers, H.M. Quillen Jr., Doctor of Dentistry, Dr. Howard E. (Big Jeep) Quillen, Jack L. (Little Jeep) Quillen; sisters, Charlotte A. Quillen-Loggans, Linda L. Quillen-Duncan; nephew, Patrick L. Loggans.Betty is survived by her beloved sister, Mary Katherine (Kat) Quillen-Williams; daughter, Nancy Jane Wilhelm-Fry (Jake); son, Robbie Wilhelm (Derinda); granddaughter, Heather N. Wilhelm; grandsons, Jonathan R. Wilhelm (Mary), John R. Fry (Jessica), Jacob S. Fry (Kelly), and Joseph M. Fry; great-grandchildren, Jackson S. Wilhelm, Lennon A. Wilhelm, Charleigh Jo Fry; special cousin, Lynn A. Wilhelm; and very special “son” Ronnie Templeton; many beloved nieces and nephews also survive.It was Betty Jo’s wish to be cremated with no public services or visitations held. She preached her own funeral in the 87 years she was on this earth. The Wilhelm family prayerfully requests for all neighbors & friends to please understand and respect her request. She loved the LORD and all of you, as we are sure you loved her.We wish to personally thank all Betty’s dedicated family caregivers and Smoky Mountain Hospice’s loving nurses and support staff for their professional and special care of our mother and grandmother during her time of illness. To the many “special angels” who brought wonderful food, sent cards, called daily, and prayed to support our family during our time of need…we will never forget you. The world has lost a great human being, our family has lost its protector and the “wind beneath its wings” but heaven has gained a kind soul of the highest quality…one who showed us all what being a real loving mother was truly all about. She will be terribly missed and never ever replaced. May Almighty GOD bless you and yours always.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, 1020 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN 37663.The care of Betty Jo Quillen-Wilhelm and her family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.Read Obituary