Betty S. Gabbert

Betty S. Gabbert, 84, of Owensboro, died Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at Wellington Parc. She was born April 12, 1926 in Charlotte, NC. She attended high school and Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. She had been employed at the Office of Flying Safety of U.S. Air Force, and the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC; the Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals in Boston, MA; and the General Headquarters, U.S. Occupation Forces in Tokyo, Japan.

Betty moved to Owensboro and became of a member of First Baptist Church in 1953, serving as nursery coordinator for 14 years. She was an active member of the Woman's Missionary Union and served on numerous church committees, including the Church Chrismon Committee, the Pastor's Council, and the building committees for the Education Building and the Christian Life Center. She was a member and past president of the Daviess County Medical Auxiliary, a member of the Younger Woman's Club and the Owensboro Woman's Club, and a board member of the Owensboro Concert Association. She was a wedding coordinator for 24 years, and was employed by the Yarden Center Gift Shop and Gary's Fleur De Lis Florist.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Adeline Speas Shugart.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Dr. William R. Gabbert of Owensboro; her children, Pat McFarling and her husband, Steve of Owensboro, William R."Chip" Gabbert, Jr. and his wife, Gail of Springfield, TN, and Nan McSwain and her husband, Doug of Lexington, KY; two grandchildren, Lauren McSwain-Starrett and her husband, Bryan, and Kate McSwain; one great-granddaughter, Caroline Starrett.

Services will be 10:00 AM Monday at First Baptist Church with entombment in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, and after 9:00 AM Monday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 230 J.R. Miller Blvd., Owensboro, KY 42303.