Betty Ella (Gibson) Zahler

Betty Ella (Gibson) Zahler, 91, of Campbellsville, Kentucky, daughter of the late Tommy S. Gibson and Ruth M. (Colvin) Gibson-Ford, was born April 8th, 1931, in Taylor County and departed this life on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023, at Taylor Regional Hospital.

Betty professed her faith in Christ and was an active long-life member of First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Campbellsville.  She was involved in United Methodist Women and Upper Right Sunday School Class. She was on honor roll of charter members for the National WWII Museum, supported St. Jude, the Taylor County SPCA, Brookside Cemetery, Mouth & Food Painting Artists, and Boys Town.

Betty worked for the City of Campbellsville for 20 plus years as the Administrative Assistance/Records Clerk for the Campbellsville Police Department whom she was better known as “The Colonel.”  She received several awards throughout her time at the Police Department.  They included several appreciation awards for her many years of dedicated service to the Campbellsville Police Department as well as being commissioned by Governor Paul E. Patton as Kentucky Colonel in 2003.

Betty was a force. She lit up every room, was a loyal friend, always made everyone laugh, loved working in her yard, always believed in giving back, and never met a stranger.  She will be missed dearly by so many but what a blessing it was to have her.

Betty is survived by:

Three daughters:  Beth Speer of West Palm Beach, Florida; Colette Jacks of Campbellsville; and Alice Fincher Snyder of Illinois.

Five grandchildren:  Kay Cheney and her husband, Bryan, of West Palm Beach, Florida; Billy Thomas of Pensacola, Florida; Kailee Kelter and her husband, Kendall, of Charlottesville, Virginia; Allexsis Jacks of Charleston, South Carolina; and Stevie Jacks of Charleston, South Carolina.

One great-granddaughter: Addilynn McGrew of Charleston, South Carolina.

One brother:  Tommy “Smoot” Gibson, Jr., and his wife, Verna, of Fort Myers, Florida.

Besides her parents, Betty is preceded in death by:

One son:  Allen Speer.

One sister:  Patsy (Gibson) Shippee.

Two brothers:  Romulus Gibson and Omar Gibson.

One son-in-law:  James Jacks (June 2020).

FUNERAL:  Private graveside service for family only per Mrs. Betty wishes.

BURIAL:  Brookside Cemetery.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: Tuesday, January 31st, 2023, at 3pm EST at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Main Street in Campbellsville.  Everyone welcome.

Auberry Funeral Home in downtown Campbellsville in charge of all arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Brookside Cemetery Fund, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, or Taylor County SPCA and can be made at the funeral home.

The staff of Auberry Funeral Home would like to thank the family for entrusting us with the care and arrangements of Mrs. Betty Ella Zahler at our funeral home.  May God bless you during this difficult time.

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