March 7, 1925 – March 17, 2013
Date of Service: March 21, 2013
Section: Christus Garden
“You are precious to Me and honored, and I love you.” Isaiah 43:4
Beatrice Baines Ketchem, 88, of Watauga, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, March 17, 2013, from her residence, following an extended illness.
She was a native of Carter County and the daughter of the late Letcher Roby and Catherine Verda Fletcher Hartley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James Roy Baines, on January 24, 1992; a brother, Jonathan Hartley; a sister, Florence Hartley; and one step-daughter, Linda Strickland.
Mrs. Ketchem was retired from Sperry-Univac. She was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church, where she taught various Sunday School classes. She enjoyed tole painting, cross stitching and quilting.
Survivors include her husband, Ervin Ketchem, of the home; two daughters, Sandra Garland and husband Jim, Memphis, Tenn., and Sonja McGuire and husband Rick, Richmond, Ind.; two sisters, Ruth Howard of Virginia, and Margaret Kemp of Texas; five brothers, Blaine Hartley, Elizabethton, James Hartley and wife Betty Jo, and Martin Hartley and wife Wanda, all of Knoxville, Roby Hartley and wife Ethel, Maryville, and Rev. Kenneth Hartley and wife Jeanne, Elizabethton; nine grandchildren, Chuck Garland, Bill Garland and wife Brintha, Sarah Garland, Nath Garland, Jeff Shafer and wife Aimee, Jessica Hoffman and husband Ryan, Trina McGuire, Tasha McGuire and Mary Edmonson and husband James; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; one step-son, Tony Ketchem and wife Joann of Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.
The celebration of life service for Mrs. Ketchem will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Ron Owens and her grandson, Pastor Jeff Shafer, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Music Ministry Grace Baptist Church. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with the Rev. Dean Smith officiating. Active pallbearers will be selected from family members. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Grace Baptist Church and friends and neighbors. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Thursday to go in procession.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to C.B.M. Ministries, 111 CBM Camp Road, Watauga, TN 37694. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax to (423) 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Ketchem family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.
