SALT SULPHUR, WV --- Betty Jacqueline Farmer, known lovingly throughout her life as "Betty Jack," passed away on November 20, 2023, just four days prior to her 94th birthday.  Betty Jack died at her home at Salt Sulphur Springs, W.Va.  Betty Jack was a beloved matriarch of the Wylie, Farmer, Lefler and Tolliver families. She was a devoted friend to many and a longtime resident of Wyoming County, W.Va. and since the 1960's, of Monroe County.

Betty Jack was born in West Virginia, the child of Dr. Ward Wylie and Anilee Hall Wylie.  During her early years Betty Jack attended elementary and high school in Mullens, W.Va., and later attended West Virginia University. Betty Jack married David Farmer (deceased) and in the 1960s they moved to live at Salt Sulphur Springs, a pre-Civil War resort that her father, Dr. Wylie, purchased and converted into the family home. Betty spent nearly 60 years there until her death earlier this month.

During her life she was a school teacher, social worker for the state health department, and a member of the Monroe County Historical Society, Monroe Gardeners and many other volunteer organizations.

She was recognized as a leading light of the social and political scenes of her community, helping to form several groups and organizations. Always eager to host friends and family and to show them around her beloved Salt Sulphur Springs, Betty was considered by many to be the ultimate hostess. Over the years she opened the Wylie family home for political, social, family and community events. The annual Labor Day celebration was often referred to asthe "Cousin's Party and Pig Roast," and hundreds attended, many from across the country. She was deeply involved in politics throughout her long life, starting when her father, a WV state senator, served as Sen. John F. Kennedy's campaign manager in for the state of West Virginia. She continued this tradition of political activism by hosting multiple celebrities throughout the decades. She served as a WV delegate to the Democratic National presidential convention and a tour of her home would reveal photographs of Betty with many political and other celebrities of the times.

Betty Jack was a strong and independent woman.  She managed many family weddings, birthdays, and other exceptional celebrations at the Wylie family home. Betty Jack loved being with people.  She was always ready for fun and taking on new adventures, whether it was antiquing, traveling abroad in Prague and Cuba, having dinner and 4 o'clock tea at the Greenbrier Hotel, or sunning in Florida with friends. She always was ready to enjoy life to the fullest.

Betty Jack is survived by her two children, Susan Farmer Matheney of Wytheville, Va., and David Wylie Farmer (Kristi) of Inman, South Carolina. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Wylie (Ida) of Durham, North Carolina. She will be missed by her grandchildren; Brieanne Matheney-Fluke (Tim) of Christiansburg, Va.;Holly Matheney Fortuner (Keith) of Wytheville, Va.; Justin Farmer and Jared Farmer, both of Chesterfield, Va.; Preston Parris (Tori) and her greatgrandchildren: Anilee and Wylie Fluke; Eli and Sydney Fortuner; Callie Farmer and Scarlett and Lainey Parris.Nieces and nephews Krissy Wylie Warsaw, Robert Wylie and Bryan Wylie are among her loving extended family.

She will be remembered with admiration and love by cousins Ward Lefler of Gap Mills, W.Va., Nancy Tolliver of Charleston, W.Va., and extended familyincluding:  Derrick Lefler of Princeton, W.Va.; Leah Tolliver of Huntington, W.Va., Tasha Tolliver of Richmond, Va., and Amy Tolliver of Charleston, W.Va.

A special mention should be made for her close friends and supporters Betty Jo Phillips of Mullens, W.Va.; Debbie Dolan of Lewisburg, W.Va.; Ann Cook of Charlotte, N.C.; Joe and Ana Lusk of Gap Mills, W.Va.; and numerous other close friends. Jill Preston, Sherry McAlpin and numerous other caregivers who supported her through her later years.

A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at Groves-Mann Funeral Home in Union, W.Va. with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. andfuneral service immediately after. Following the service friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Betty Jack's life held at the Pickaway Pickins Restaurant in Pickaway, W.Va.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Monroe County Historical Society and the Monroe County Public Library.

Those wishing to send the Farmer Family online condolences or would like to sign the online guestbook, please do so by visiting www.groves-mann.com Arrangements by Groves-Mann Funeral Home, Union, WV.