Betty Nanney

Betty Jean Rhymer Nanney passed away May 22, 2026, at the Care Center at Carolina Village, Hendersonville, NC. She was 91 and had been undergoing a period of declining health for several months.

Betty Jean was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to countless others lucky enough to have known her.

Born March 15, 1935 in Fruitland, NC in the Edneyville community at her family home, she was surrounded by a loving family which included her Mother, Eliza Green Rhymer, her Father, Edgar William Rhymer, her brother, William Raymond of Sarcoxie Mo, (Mary), and her sisters, Evelyn (Jim Wheelon), Katherine (Kermit Edney),

Hazel (William Burch), all of Hendersonville. She had 31 nieces and nephews that she dearly loved.

Betty married Franklin Delano Nanney in 1954 after his return from the Korean War. They established their home in the Dana community where Del’s mother and father, Eunice and Elbert Nanney, lived. Betty was Del’s partner as he began his apple growing business, going on to become one of the most respected and influential growers in NC.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Cindy and her husband, Paul C. Walker; and their children, Stephen Hill Walker of Hendersonville and Marilee Walker Sanchez-Masi, her husband, Alejandro Sanchez-Masi; and a new great-grandson, Daniel, of Charlotte.

Betty will be remembered for her humor, insight, faith, and love of all things fun. Betty attended the Alma Lee Cheves Sunday School class at First Methodist Church and had many friends there that she loved greatly. A few of these, but by no means all, were Betty Johnson, Dot Marlow, Betty Kate Ruth, Sarah Yarborough and Barbara Wilson. Toopie Jackson was also a special lifelong friend.

Betty Jean has found Del, her parents, her still born daughter (1965), her brother, her sisters, and sisters and brothers in law with the angels in Heaven. We will always smile when remembering our Mom, MeMamma, Aunt Betty, and friend.

The family will have a Celebration of Life at Carolina Village on June 27 at 11AM in The Village Hall. The family would like to thank the staff at Carolina Village for taking care of Betty and loving her the many years she lived there.

Jackson Funeral Service is honored to serve the Nanney family