Betty Jean Lunsford

Leicester - Betty Jean Murray Lunsford, 85, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native of Madison County, Mrs. Lunsford had resided in Buncombe County for the past 25 years. She was a graduate of West Buncombe High School, where she was a key player for the womens basketball team. She was a lifelong member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and served as the President of the Margaret Roberts Sunday School class. Mrs. Lunsford was the daughter of the late Thomas and Linda Mae Ferguson Murray, and was also preceded in death by her two sisters: Madge Scott and Carolyn Henderson. Surviving are her husband of 68 years, Howard Lunsford; children: Brenda Huff and husband Roger of Smithville, TN, and David Lunsford and wife Linda of Liberty, TN; seven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM noon Saturday at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. Burial will follow in Sluder Family Cemetery, with her grandsons and nephews serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 10:30 11:45 AM Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Building Fund, 200 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville, NC 28806. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is assisting Mrs. Lunsfords family with funeral arrangements.