Bettye Herring Brooks of Hopkinsville, passed away of natural causes on February 9, 2024, at the age of 91 while residing with her daughter and son-in-law in Missouri City, TX. She was born February 17, 1932, in Herndon, KY to the late John and Jessie Fleming Herring. She was the second youngest of six children. Bettye married her high school sweetheart, the late Philip C. Brooks, Jr. on January 10, 1952. They had two daughters, Cowanetta and Phyllis.
She was baptized at the early age of 8 and belonged to New Asia Baptist Church in Herndon, KY. Bettye was a lifelong member of Virginia Street Baptist Church where she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher.
Bettye attended Garretsburg Elementary School in KY. She attended Attucks High School and graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She went on to matriculate at Kentucky State University, receiving her BA in Education, and later receiving her Master of Education at Murray State University.
Bettye began her 30-plus year teaching career with her first assignment at the school she attended as a child, Garretsburg Elementary. Other schools included Gainesville Elementary. She retired from Highland Elementary. She was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jessie Herring, sisters Nancy Harris, Indianapolis, IN, Lucy Rogers, Florence Lindsay of Hopkinsville, KY, her brother, John D “Brother” Herring of Evansville, IN, nieces Carolyn Coleman of Houston, TX, Joann Rogers and Gayle Lindsay of Hopkinsville, KY and grand dog Cindy-Boo Brooks of Alexandria, VA.
She is survived by her sister, Mattie Brown of Temple Hills, MD, daughters, Cowanetta Armstrong, Missouri City, TX, Phyllis Brooks, Alexandria, VA, grandsons, Philip Armstrong, Pearland, TX and Taylor Armstrong, Houston, TX and a host of loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Homegoing Services will be on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 am with visitation on Friday, February 23, 2024, 5-8 pm with Delta Sigma Theta Omega Rites at 6 pm. Both will be held at Virginia Street Baptist Church. Adams & Sons Mortuary is in charge.
