Betty Parton

Betty Parton, 75, of Parton Avenue, Morganton, NC died Monday, February 11, 2008 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. Born in Jackson, MS on April 2, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Alexander King and Sadie Edmonds King.Betty was a past president of District 1 of the NC Quarter Horse association and a past board member of the state association. An avid quarter horse competitor, she earned multiple grand championships in the U.S. She finished in the top fifteen in the World Championships with the American Quarter Horse Association at Oklahoma City, OK. She raised quarter horses until her death. She served twice as president of the Morganton Woman’s Club. Along with several friends she organized the Variety Club which met each month for many years. She was a loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.Betty is survived by her husband, Bill Parton, of the home; a son, Billy Parton and friend, Deb Hefner, and her daughter, Hannah, all of Morganton; a very special granddaughter, Jade Parton of Morganton; a brother, James Knight; sisters, Grace Clarke, Frances Jefford, and Juanita Clarke; and her canine companions, Bucky and Andy.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2008 at Gilkey United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton, NC with Reverends Caroll Flack and W. Leon Morrow officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the residence on Parton Avenue. Memorial contributions may be made to Gilkey United Methodist Church, 187 Gilkey Church Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.