Tessa Hurst
76w
Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to the best mom I could have ever dreamed of
In loving memory
Betty LaRue Young
October 29, 1945 – November 15, 2023
Lived 78 years
Sherwood Memorial Gardens · Alcoa, Tennessee
"No mommy dearest stories - I did the best I could!"
Life story
Betty LaRue Gilbert Young - born in Ruston, Louisiana on October 29th, 1945. First daughter of Dorothy Bagwell Gilbert and Maxie Louis Gilbert (Pat). Her sister, Edith Marie Gilbert Field was born on August 25th, 1947. These two were quite different from one another growing up as the stories tell - Betty was very shy, quiet and reserved, while Edie was outspoken, brave and determined to find fun! This made them an entertaining pair.
* 1963 - 1964 she attended Herald Business School which served her well over the years with the work that she did later in life. (She did note "9/16/16 I saw a story on TV documenting schools that charged big bucks and made promises about jobs after graduating, etc. ITT was one of them, as well as my alma mater, Herald Business School!! YIKES!! LOL! I attended in Oakland California 1963-64.")
* In 1964, Betty met Chuck at a skating rink for a church event. She said she and Edie convinced him to skate twice around the rink with them. She thought he was funny. She did note that their second date was to the movies and that he picked her up in a car that he bought for $25 (a 1953 Mecury) and she thought the movie they saw was James Bond (I think this might have been the first and last movie that Chuck ever saw in a theater). They married on April 30th, 1965.
* In 1966, they moved to Riverside California and then to Tennessee in 1970.
In 1973, she had her first baby -
- Stephen Todd - 9/25/73 - She noted that she felt so special and didn't tell many people, if anyone, so that she could keep that special secret a little longer to treasure it. Natural delivery
- Michael Travis - 12/20/74 - her Christmas baby - brought home in a Christmas stocking. That summer, Turner had asked her if she was expecting to which she replied, "Of course not!". She went for a visit in California and upon returning, went to the doctor... pregnant! Induced labor but natural delivery
- Jonathan Trey - 7/14/81 - her note read "Couldn't sleep all night - watched the sun come up in Little Rock, Arkansas! High risk pregnancy (blood pressure) but did well!" Natural delivery
- Tessa LaRue - 8/3/83 - "surprise! but they all were! Good pregnancy - no complications. The "Pink Ribbon" trick worked! Cute little curly haired girl with blue eyes." Natural delivery. She stayed one more day at the hospital to get her tubes tied - the end!
She said that being a mother forced her out of her comfort zone.
It is important to note that she was also a proud Grandmother of Brandon, Bekah, Karis, Ty, and Zane. She loved them all dearly and was always excited to share updates on them. She always bragged that they were all so smart.
Photos
See all 55
Photo book
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Lifetime
The world Betty knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
1945
Born October 29
1947
Betty was 2 when Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier
1951
Betty was 6 when "I Love Lucy" debuted on CBS
1962
Betty was 17 when John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth
1977
Betty was 32 when Elvis Presley died
1981
Betty was 36 when MTV began broadcasting
1997
Betty was 52 when "Titanic" opened in theaters
2004
Betty was 59 when Facebook was launched
2016
Betty was 71 when Pokemon Go sent millions outdoors hunting creatures
2022
Betty was 77 when Queen Elizabeth II died after 70 years on the throne
2023
Passed away November 15, age 78
Tributes and memories
3 memories shared
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Tessa Hurst
101w
One year
A year without you is brutal. I think about your laugh, your smile, your counting with each step. Adventures in the mountains or in the pool. Life is less beautiful without you, but I’m so grateful for all the time we had. I love you momma
Tessa Hurst
113w
Sad
I miss you every day. I miss talking to you on the phone every day about nothing. I miss hearing your voice, your laugh. I miss seeing your smile. I miss spending time with you. I miss it all. Life will never be the same without you.
Family and friends
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