MARTINSVILLE —Sarah Elizabeth “Beth” Howell Ussery, 100, died peacefully on Nov. 24, 2017, at King’s Grant in Martinsville, Virginia.

Born in Suffolk, Virginia, on Dec. 9, 1916, Beth was a daughter of the late Paul and Effie Brinkley Howell. She was the youngest of three children and the first girl on her father’s side of the family for three generations. Beth lived a caring, loving and full-life on earth, and we celebrate her homecoming with Jesus, her Lord and Savior.
A graduate from Meredith College with degrees in music and organ, Beth was an accomplished musician who used her gifts in various churches as a director of music.
Beth was married to the late Rev. Benjamin B. Ussery for 36 years, and they spent their lives serving at churches in North Carolina and Virginia, including many years at Boykins Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Ridgeway. Beth also served as the secretary for Henry County Baptist Association for 16 years before retiring.
Beth is survived by her children: Ben Ussery Jr. (Carol) of Richmond, Virginia; Tom Ussery (Cindy) of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; Betty Jo (Larry) Bateman of Greer, South Carolina; and Emily (C.D.) Prillaman of Ridgeway, Virginia. In addition to Beth’s children, she has nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation was at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. in Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville. Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery Ridgeway.
Memorials may be designated to the Ussery Scholarship Fund, Office of Development, Chowan University, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855. or to King’s Grant Fellowship Fund, 800 King’s Way Road, Martinsville, VA 24112-6639.
To express online condolences, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.