Betty Sturkie Obituary

Betty Sturkie went by many names. Known as Betty Ann to those who knew her the longest. She was lovingly titled "the fat gal" by her dear husband, Donny. And I was the most fortunate one because I'm the only one who got to call her mama. She was later renamed Meeka by her oldest grandchild, and called that by every grandchild and great grandchild after her, and even by some friends of those grandchildren. Mama was born in Batesburg, SC on March 29, 1944 to JC and Mary Pearl Dimsdale. And she was born again in 1969 and became a faithful, lifelong member of Red Bank Baptist Church, Lexington, SC. She was instrumental in leading her parents, her sister and brother in law, and many others of her family to the Lord including Daddy and eventually me. The legacy of faith and repentance she has left for me and my children and their children is the most valuable gift she has given us. We will be forever grateful for the salvation that Jesus bestowed on her those many years ago as He called her to be His child. For in that calling He was also bringing forth His plan to call all those after her. Mama was the toughest woman I have ever known. She worked hard and played hard and had all the broken bones and scarred skin to prove it. And she loved to tell and retell all the stories that went along with those wounds. One thing mama rarely did was spend a lot of money... unless it involved horses. Her love for horses dimmed only in the light of her love for Jesus, for me and Daddy, and for her grandkids..although Daddy would argue that she'd choose the horses over him any day. All my life, even to the very end, I watched Mama exemplity what the joy of the Lord is. It truly was her strength. My favorite compliment has always been, "you act just like your mama." I wish I really could be just like her, but my mama was truly one of kind...there will never be another one like her. The Bible verse that best describes my mama is Proverbs 31.25. "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Mama left this old world and entered eternal rest with Jesus on June 1, 2025 at the age of 81. There will be a private burial on the family property in the Sturkie Family Cemetery on June 12, 2025. Until we meet her again she will be greatly missed. But if you knew Betty Sturkie you know without a doubt that she will not be easily forgotten. The family she loved, and that loved her, included... Her husband, Donald Ray Sturkie Her daughter, Sundy Sturkie Branham (Jason) | Her grandchildren, Ashton Lorick (Vadim), Dathan Branham (Carmen), Corlee Branham, Blaney Branham, Evie Branham Her great grandchildren: Liam Lorick, Micah Lorick, Ivy Branham, Haven Branham Her siblings: Mary Jeffers (Murray) [deceased], Jimmy Dimsdale (Joan) And her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews both surviving and deceased. If you'd like to see her gravesite and visit with Donny (803.622.2822) or Sundy (803.622.1587), just let them know. They love and welcome visitors. And in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the International Mission Board or sent to Red Bank Baptist Church Lottie Moon Missions Fund 1357 S. Lake Dr., Lexington, SC, 29073. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Ann Sturkie, please visit our floral store.