Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

GATES, NC – Betty Jo Savage Umphlett, 82, of 875 US 13 North, Gates, died Saturday, August 21, 2021 in Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk, VA.

Mrs. Umphlett was born in Gates County on January 20, 1939, and was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Savage, Sr. and Sally Mary Draper Savage. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, infant Shirley Ann Savage and Jeanne S. Elder; her brother, Bobby Savage; and by two newborn granddaughters, Jordan Nicole and Morgan Grace Hale.

A retired admissions clerk from Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, she was a lifelong member of Reynoldson Baptist Church.

Surviving is her husband of 22 years, James Thomas “Jimmy” Umphlett; her daughter, Vicki Byrum Hale (husband, Danny) of Gates; and her son, Ricky Byrum (wife, Eva) of Gatesville. Also surviving are Jimmy’s children, Rhonda Umphlett Meinhardt of Suffolk, VA, and Joe Umphlett (wife, Rita) of Carrsville, VA. Together Betty Jo and Jimmy share 12 grandchildren, Briana, Luther, Zachary, Brandon, Keith, Kody, Robert, LeAnne, Randy, Leslie, Geoff, and Neal; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 24 at 3:00 p.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church and will be conducted by longtime friend, the Rev. Jimmy Smith, and by her son, Ricky Byrum. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

With the resurgence in the area of the Covid-19 virus, no formal visitation is planned; however friends may visit with family at their respective homes, or in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service where social distancing measures will be encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Reynoldson Baptist Church, 73 Reynoldson Road, Gates, NC 27937, or to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601, or online at www.lung.org.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.