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Betty Dykes McGhee, 87, lifelong resident of Jonesborough, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Betty was born on July 8, 1931 to the late Clyde and Sarah Dykes. She married the love of her life, Basil McGhee, on October 1, 1949, and he proceeded her in death in 1997. Betty and Basil owned and operated Gray Auto Parts from 1980 until they sold it to their grandson and his dad in 1990. Betty was follower of Christ. Her life was a living example of Ephesians 4:32�"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. She was once asked what her favorite Bible verse was and she replied, “I don’t guess I really have one. They’re all good.” She was a faithful and dedicated member of Oak Hill Baptist Church, serving in many roles including Sunday School teacher and church secretary. She enjoyed sewing, baking, reading, and serving others, and spent time teaching each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy these things as well. She was fierce and strong and powered through many struggles in life leaning on her faith to get through. Growing up her family crop-shared and she worked the fields just as hard as anyone else. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed all the aspects of it. She shared her harvests with family and friends and many life-lessons were learned while breaking or shelling beans on the porch, canning tomatoes or pickles in the kitchen, and stirring apple butter in the yard. She was the 3rd child of 12 siblings and cared for each of them and their families throughout her life. To the community, most people either knew her as “mom” or “mamaw” and she wore those titles proudly. Her door was always open, there was always a chair for you on the back porch, and no one EVER left her house hungry or without an old butter container full of leftovers. If she had it and you needed it, it was yours. And if you did need it, it could probably be found neatly organized in a closet, a box, a drawer, the barn, or the basement of her house. No one ever had to wonder what was on her mind, because if was on her mind, it wasn’t long before it was out of her mouth. She was a wise-counsel to so many and showed kindness and compassion to whomever needed it. She leaves behind a legacy of dying to self and loving Christ above all, loving your family fiercely, and caring for others by feeding them, praying for them, and helping however else you are able. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also proceeded in death by an infant daughter, Shelly Kay McGhee, a son, Stephen Michael McGhee, brothers Syrl Dykes, Elmer Dykes, James C. Dykes, Robert L. Dykes, Dale Dykes, and Donnie Dykes, sisters Linda Taylor, Ruby McGhee. She is survived by one daughter, Carol Sue Cross, and husband Billy, two brothers, Jack Dykes and Daryl Dykes one sister, Brenda Dykes, 10 grandchildren, Chad and Lori Drain, Jamie McGhee Singer, Aaron McGhee, Adam and Becky Cross, Brandon and Heather Cross, Amy and Brett Greene, 13 great-grandchildren, Shelby Drain, Gabe Drain, Caroline, Ellie and Max Singer, Garrett, Gavin, and Kendall Cross, Colten and Kellen Cross, and Keeley, Braden, and Miles Greene, special friend, Doris Ford, and several special nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 15, 2018, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with the service immediately following at Dillow Taylor Funeral Home. Graveside services will be on Friday, November 16, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may also call on the family at Betty’s home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable contributions be made in her memory to one of the following organizations: Kari’s Heart Foundation (P.O. Box 6165, Johnson City, TN 37604), Gray Community Chest (P.O. Box 8024, Gray, TN 37615), or Sulphur Springs Community Help Center (1591 Highway 81N, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659).