Betty Marie Early (formerly Tinsley) was born on June 3, 1949, to the late Tommy Lee and Amanda Marie Burgess in Ridgeway, Virginia.  Early Wednesday morning, August 31, 2022, God dispatched His angels to pick up Betty at the Hospice Home in Wentworth, NC.  He allowed her daughter to be with her during her end-of-life journey.  She was fortunate to have two sets of parents as Amanda passed when Betty was nine years old.  Amanda's sister, Lizzie Early (Frank) adopted Betty and cared for her as their own.

Most of Betty's early adult life was spent in Logan, WV.  She relocated to Eden, NC to make her permanent home and was employed as a Custodian with Duke Energy until resigning due to her health disabilities.  Betty was quiet and soft spoken.  She was an avid spades player.  She even played solo games when no one else was available to play.  She joined New St. Paul Baptist Church as a member and often fellowshipped with Mt. Sinai Baptist Church as well.

Betty was preceded in death by her biological and adoptive parents; one daughter, Amanda Marie and one son, Billy Wesley Tinsley, Jr.; one great grandson, Keyvonte Eaves; five brothers, Joe Early, James Lloyd, John Hubert, Robert Lee, and Irvin Burgess; three sisters, Connie Bell, Emma Jean, and Willie Mae.

Those left to forever cherish her memory are daughter, Lucinda Denise (Cindy) Tinsley of Greensboro, NC; two granddaughters, Keyona Tinsley and Ciara Broadnax; two great grandchildren, Brandee Phillips and Kace Tinsley; one nephew, Jimmy Burgess of Martinsville, VA; one niece, Lorraine Reid Hundley-Jones of Maryland; her family in love: nephews, Joseph Lee of Eden, Donald Hairston of Charlotte; nieces, Sharon Tinsley of Eden, Monica Sydnor of Roanoke, VA; great niece, Rochelle Tinsley of Charlotte; devoted caregiver, Sandra Moyer and a host of extended relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 pm Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at Boone & Cooke Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Hamlin Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2 pm at the funeral home before the service and other times at the residence.