Basham, Betty Robertson

Betty Louise Robertson Basham, 86, of Christiansburg, VA, passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oliver Ellis Robertson and Nellie Mable Blevins Robertson, her husband of 27 years, Ralph Newman Basham, and her son, Kenneth Andrew Basham.

Betty was a member of GraceLife Baptist Church, serving in many capacities including teacher of the Friendship Class and leader of the Spirit Lifters group. She was happiest when she was serving and encouraging others.
Betty graduated from Radford College in 1956 with a B.S. in Business Education and in 1970 switched her focus to elementary education. She was a 3rd grade teacher at Weller Baker School 1970-1973, Christiansburg Primary School 1973-1974, and Christiansburg Elementary School 1974-1999. She was a member of the NEA, VEA, MCEA, and the New River Reading Association. She received the Rotary Award 1986-87. Betty also served as the Memorial Chairperson for the American Heart Association 1991-2015. She enjoyed reading, bird watching (especially hummingbirds and cardinals), quilting, jigsaw and Sudoku puzzles, and spending time with family and friends.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Judy B. Bush; her son, David G. Basham; her daughter, Kathy L. Basham; her granddaughter, Caitlin Geary and husband Chuck and soon-to-be great granddaughter; grandson, Adam C. Bush; nephew, Les Basham and wife, Kathleen and family; nephew, Dwight Basham and wife, Pepper and family; Richard Branham, Jeff and Teresa Branham, Krista Branham, Jeremy and Heather Branham and family, Mike and Lori Branham, Heath and Elizabeth Branham, Steve and Connie Conley, Jean and Charles Foster, Drew Foster; and a host of other family and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Oncology Unit and the Palliative Care Unit of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for their loving and excellent care of Betty and the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to GraceLife Baptist Church P.O. Box 701 Christiansburg, VA 24068, the American Cancer Society of Virginia P.O. Box 4110 Glen Allen, VA 23058 (cancer.org), or Christiansburg Rescue Squad 100 E Main St, Christiansburg, VA 24073.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 22nd from 12 to 2pm at GraceLife Baptist Church. The funeral service will be conducted immediately after at GraceLife, with Dr. Timothy Hight officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery.