Somerset — Betty Ruth Owens Bishop, 78, of Somerset, Ky., wife of Lawrence Donald "Don" Bishop, passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, following a 20-month struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

Betty was born on March 11, 1933, daughter of the late Vanroe Bryan Owens and Margaret Roy Owens, and was raised in the Pulaski County community of Mt. Zion. She attended Eubank School, and was a member of the first graduating class of Pulaski County High School in 1951. Later that year, she married Donald Bishop of Science Hill. To this union were born two daughters, Rita Bishop of Somerset and Sherry (and Mike) McClanahan of Paris, Ky.

Don and Betty moved to Paris in 1963 where they lived for 31 years. Betty was employed 17 years as Administrative Assistant for the Bourbon County Board of Education. In 1994, she and Don returned to Somerset to enjoy their retirement years.

Other than her husband and daughters, Betty is survived by seven grandchildren, Tara (and Michael) Ray, Lana and DJ Hutchison, all of Somerset, Lee Hutchison, Lucas and Julie Humphries of Paris, Ky. and Jana (and Colby) Hayes of Lexington.

Also surviving are three great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Izzy Ray of Somerset, and Audrey Humphries of Paris.

Betty is also survived by one brother, Anthony (and Joyce) Owens of Seminole, Fla.; and three sisters, Iva Jean (and Ken) Stevens of Paris, Ky., Ina Dean (and J.R.) Linville of Westchester, Ohio and Ines (and the late Earl) Jenkins of Danville, Ky.

She also leaves behind three sisters-in-law, Lois (and Ronald)

Dalton of Science Hill, Alma Owens of Norwood, Ohio and Evelyn Owens of Brandon, Fla.

A host of nieces and nephews also mourn her passing.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Hugo Owens; and one sister, Dorthy Ray.

Betty was a member of the Science Hill Church of Christ. She spent her life in service to her Lord, and was active in His church wherever she lived. She taught many children in Bible classes over the years, and devoted her entire life to doing for others. Other than church, she was also an active member

of the local Moonbeams Homemakers club.  Betty enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed boating and picnicking on Lake Cumberland.

Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Morris & Hislope Funeral Home with Bro. John Baxter officiating, assisted by Michael Ray.

A private burial service will be held at Lakeside Memorial Gardens on Friday morning. Pallbearers will be Mike McClanahan, Michael Ray, Lucas Humphries, Colby Hayes, Lee Hutchison, and DJ Hutchison.

Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.morrisandhislope.com.