Betty Rusk

Betty James Darnell Rusk died Friday, January 16, 2009 at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville. She was born January 12, 1931 to the late James (Sam) and Thelma Darnell. She married Donald Rusk 58 years ago on October 1, 1950. Betty was a proud navy wife and her passion for cooking favorite foods for her family was one of her many gifts. "Nene", as her family called her, enjoyed camping, quilting, painting, and working with flowers. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her loving husband, children and had a special way to bond with all her grandchildren. She was a member of Fincher's Chapel Church on Hyder Mountain and of the Order of Eastern Star. She is survived by her loving husband, Donald; four children, Don Rusk and his wife, Ann, Robin Schmersahl and her husband, Kevin, James Rusk and his wife, Kim, and Joy Bennett and her husband, Don; 13 grandchildren, Amy Chambers and her husband, Jason, Jacob Schmersahl and his wife, Amanda, Shawn Wood and his wife, Jamie, Tim Wood, Lindsey Moore and her husband, Jason, Bobbie Nelson, Christopher Nelson, Eli Bennett , and James Jared (JJ) Rusk; five great-grandchildren, Addison Schmersahl, Ruby Moore, Kasondra Boyd, Hannah Boyd, and Morgan Wood; a brother, Richard Darnell and his wife, Nancy; and a faithful companion, "Buddy". The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, January 20, 2009 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2009 in the Waynesville chapel with Reverend Kitty Crain officiating. Burial will follow at Fincher's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Fincher's Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Shirley Cutshaw, 158 Children's Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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