Mrs. Bettye Jo Paris Manning Hackett, age 94, of Alexandria, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday Morning, February 2, 2025.

Mrs. Bettye Jo was born July 26, 1930 in Brush Creek, TN, a daughter of the late Edgar Campbell Paris and Levie Ballinger Paris. She married L.D. Hackett in October of 1952 and he preceded her in death in April of 1996 after 44 years of marriage. Their only son, Milton Campbell Hackett was born July 2, 1953 and he preceded her in death on March 31, 1979.

Mrs. Bettye Jo married Ralph Manning, her high school sweetheart, in October of 2002 and he preceded her in death in April of 2012.

Mrs. Manning was also preceded in death by her siblings; James Estes (Laura) Paris, Alton (Evelyn) Paris, Varena (L.V.) Thompson, and Virginia (Bob) Oakley. Nephews; Bobby Gerald and Terry Oakley, Ronald Paris, Leonard Paris, and David Paris. Nieces; Cynthia Oakley Vantrease and Bobbye Jo Oakley Ezell. Great-nephews; Jody Paris Vantrease.

Mrs. Bettye Jo was a 1947 graduate of Gordonsville High School and a 1951 graduate of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. She was hired by the Smith County Board of Education where she taught at Gordonsville High School for two years. She then taught and coached girl’s basketball at Kato, Pleasant Shade, and Carthage Junior High School. After that, she taught Health and coached girl’s basketball at Lebanon High School for three years. She and her family moved to the campus of Tennessee Preparatory School where she taught health, PE, Biology, and coached basketball. During this time, she earned a Master’s Degree from MTSU and an EDS from TSU plus 13 hours on her doctorate. Mrs. Bettye Jo retired in 1990 and moved to their farm near McMinnville, TN. Here they raised Black Angus cattle and Percheron and Belgian horses. They enjoyed entertaining and would have hundreds of visitors come to see their spectacular Christmas Decorations. They also enjoyed using their horses in parades and weddings.

Mrs. Bettye Jo was a member of the Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Smith County Retired Teacher’s Association, and Southside Lions Club. Most recently, Mrs. Bettye Jo became a member of West Main Baptist Church in Alexandria where she was baptized in August of 2024.

Mrs. Bettye Jo is survived by nephews, James (Corrine) Paris, Brownie (Blackie) Paris, and Jeff (Sherry) Paris. Nieces; Rebecca (Noel) Tolbert, Brenda (Charles) Prichard, Janice (Don) Hensley, Nancy (Fred) Smith, Ginabeth (Sam) Young, Renee (Ray) Wisdom. 18 great nephews, 11 great nieces, and a multitude of great-great nieces and nephews and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was conducted from West Main Baptist Church in Alexandria  on Friday, February 7, 2025 at with Bro. Dusty Desimone, Bro. Jeff Paris, and Bro. Dennis Croslin officiating. Interment followed in the Brush Creek Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 2PM until 7:30PM and at West Main Baptist Church in Alexandria on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 10AM until service time at 1PM.

The family requests memorials be made to the Hemophilia and Blood Disorder Foundation at Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital in memory of Milton Hackett.

Avant Funeral Home, Alexandria, was in charge of the arrangements.