ENGLAND

Bettye Louise England, age 89, of Tullahoma, TN, passed from this life Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Autumn Oaks in Manchester. Mrs. England was born in Jamestown, Tenn., to her late parents Clarence Cravens and Ruth Bowden. She was a homemaker and farmhand a good portion of her life but had jobs in her younger years including fast food and factory work. Later in life she pursued a nursing degree and worked for a short time as an LPN. Because of her love of reading and helping others, she worked at the library in Manchester and enjoyed talking to all who came through. During this time she was recognized in the local paper as Citizen of the Month with the headline reading, “Warm, Caring, Always Thinking of Others”. After meeting the love of her life, Lewis England, she asked to work alongside him at a men’s clothing store. Perhaps her true calling in life was becoming a preacher’s wife when she married Lewis in 1988. Her caring nature shined bright in supporting the congregations and being involved in church activities to include singing in the church choir and handicrafters. She was a part of many churches but found a home as a member of Wesley Heights United Methodist Church. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, tending to her flowers, and feeding birds. She also loved chocolate and enjoyed watching sports – baseball, college and NFL football, and basketball. Her favorite teams were Atlanta Braves, Tennessee Titans, UT, and Vandy. She was kind and thoughtful always taking time to call or write and send birthday, get well, and Christmas cards. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Reed Gilbert; second husband, Boyd Bryan; third husband, Lewis England; infant daughter, Cynthia; siblings, Sammye Edwards and James “Red” Bowden. Mrs. England is survived by a son, Steve Gilbert (Donna); daughters, Eugenia “Button” Dale (David), Tanya Bryan, and Linda Roberts; brother, Bill Bowden (Betty); sisters, Jane Hendrickson and Judy Gardner (Danny); sister-in-law, Sherri Bowden; grandchildren, Kellye Gilbert (Keith Reynolds) and Beth Bunch (Chris); great grandchildren, Steve (MaryGrace), David, Nathan, Maryle, Katherine (Austin), Lydia, and Taylor (Andre); great great grandchild, Gabriella; several nieces and nephews. Visitation was held Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Central Funeral Home with funeral services at 1 p.m. Burial followed at Asbury Cemetery in Coffee County. The family would like to express their sincere and heartfelt thanks to the staff of Autumn Oaks and Gentiva Hospice for your kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Wesley Heights United Methodist Church, 2101 E Lincoln St, Tullahoma, TN 37388.

Central Funeral Home is honored to serve the England family, 931-723-7774, centralfuneralhome.com