Bethany Elyse Houston
by DFH Inc. on 06/23/20
Bethany Elyse Houston was born June 22, 1984 at Morristown-Hamblen Hospital. She discontinued her physical life Monday, June 22, 2020 at the same hospital, as the result of a brain hemorrhage. She was the much cherished and only child of Jeannine E. Thompson and The Rev. Dr. Frank Warren Houston (Renea), of Georgetown, Kentucky.
God blessed Bethany to have a wonderful, balanced life, the quality of which far exceeded the 36 years she lived. She accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and was baptized by her father at Bethel Baptist Church in 1994. She demonstrated that relationship in her unconditional love, generosity and respect toward others. She attended John Hay Elementary School and was a track athlete at Meadowview Middle School and Morristown-Hamblen High School East, from which she graduated in May 2002. She furthered her studies at Pellissippi State Community College and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Bethany was a beautiful, ambitious, and energetic person, all of which showed through in every aspect of her life. She was diligent and efficient as an employee and/or manager at Sun Trust Bank, Victoria’s Secret and Charming Charlie. At the time of her death, she was employed by Wyndam Destinations in Pigeon Forge.
Her bright eyes, charming smile, high regard for family and friends, courage and commitment in the face of challenges and love for God and other people are part of Bethany’s legacy and example to us. Bethany did not become an angel in her passing. She was an angel – a messenger of God – in her living. We all should be. A quote which recently appeared on social media says, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Bethany found her gifts. Given her resources and opportunities, she fulfilled her purpose. We celebrate that. We will always remember that. We are thankful for that. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Sarah N. and William C. Thompson Sr.; her paternal grandfather, Frank J. Houston Jr.; and her paternal great-grandmother, Flossie E. Deadrick.
There are many members of her immediate family who will always love her, cherish her memory and be inspired by her life and legacy. Among them are her maternal uncle, William Carroll Thompson Jr. (Rosalind); her paternal aunts, Janice Marie Houston-Little, Mary Evelyn Kyle (James Dennis), Brenda Kay Porter (Tim) and Cathy Denise Upton; her paternal uncles, Anthony Wayne and Marvin Eugene (Kathy) Houston. Bethany was richly blessed to have several cousins, friends and co-workers. Among them are special friends and “sisters,” Romesha Sherles and Dorisse Riley (Danny); and her “bonus siblings,” Brittany D. Alcala (Danny) and Brent E. Whiteside (Rosie). The family will receive friends 4 – 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 30 at Dockery-Senter Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 6 p.m.
The family requests instead of flowers and food, donations in honor/memory of Bethany should be made to Girls Inc. of Hamblen County, 301 Sulphur Springs Rd., Morristown, TN 37813; Bethel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1281, Morristown, TN 37816-1281; or First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 247, Georgetown, KY 40324-0247.
Arrangements by:
Dockery-Senter Funeral Home
