Betty Lee Burkhart

Betty Lee (Franks) Burkhart, 88, of Wallins, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on May 10th, 2025 at her home.

Betty was born on February 22nd, 1937, to the late Loyd and Hazel (Kelley) Franks. As the third born of nine children, Betty mastered the art of caregiving at an early age and always took wonderful care of those she loved. Her gift of hospitality and expert cooking skills were evidence of this and her Sunday dinners were a weekly event not to be missed.

Upon graduation from Black Star High School, Betty attended Eastern Kentucky University graduating with a bachelors degree in Education. She would later go on to obtain both a masters and Rank 1 degree in Education, and enjoyed a 37 year teaching career with the Harlan County Board of Education touching countless lives throughout the years.

Betty was united in marriage with her husband James on June 29th, 1960. They were blessed with two sons, a good life and 62 years of marriage before his passing. She dedicated her life to her family, and said often that some of her happiest times were spent in the bleachers watching her sons’ many sporting events. She deeply loved and was proud of them, and never stopped referring to them as “my boys.”

Words are simply inadequate to describe the joy and pride that radiated from Betty when her granddaughter, Isabella Kate, was born and Betty became “Nana.” They were the best of friends and the adoration was mutual, a bond like no other. They spent countless hours together baking, reading, gardening and playing. The light of the love between them will never grow dim.

Along with her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her brothers Darrell Franks and Robert Franks; and her sisters Patricia Hendren and Cuba Craig.

She is survived by her sons James Burkhart, Jr and Russell (Amy) Burkhart, both of Wallins; her granddaughter Isabella Kate Burkhart of Wallins; her brothers Jim (Elsie) Franks, Ray Franks and Joel Franks, all of Pineville and Harold Franks of Birmingham, Alabama; brothers-in-law Steven (Marie) Burkhart, of Marion, Kentucky and James (Raney) Decker of Lexington, Kentucky; her most special lifelong friends Billie Tidwell of Wallins and Bettye Ann Ingram of Harlan.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to Debbie Wynn and Linda Fisher for the extraordinary care, devotion and love they gave in taking expert care of Betty.

Visitation will be 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday (May 15) at the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home, 114 S. 3rd Street, Harlan, KY 40831.

Burial will be 1:30 Friday (May 16) at the Saylor Cemetery at Pathfork with Rev. Freeman Clark officiating. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery just prior to service time. 

Please feel free to leave a condolence or memory at www.aljfh.com

Betty Lee Burkhart and her family are in the care of the Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home