Mrs. Betty Jean Trent, 82, of Barbourville, passed away Monday morning, November 3, 2025 at the Barbourville Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born August 29, 1943 in Knox County, the daughter of the late Hence and Marigold Smith Grubb.
Betty was an extremely caring, loving, and compassionate person. She spent the majority of her life caring for the elderly and helping families work through the aging process with their loved ones. She began her career as an LPN at the Barbourville Nursing Home in the 70s. Her compassion and caring showed through with the patients in her care and the family members she interacted with. Years later, she became the Director of Long Term Care at the Barbourville Hospital where she directed activities and cared for many elderly patients. This same love and caring was apparent in her role as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. There was nothing like her kids and grandkids. After leaving the Barbourville hospital, she and her husband Len became the owners of a truck garage behind Pilot in Corbin. After Len passed, she ran the business for an additional two years until retiring.
Betty had several hobbies which included quilting, travel, cooking, NASCAR, RV Camping, boating and spending time with her grandson and later with the great grandkids (Tytus, Tucker, and Teegan). There was nothing like them and she did everything she could to ensure they never wanted for anything. She was very adept at quilting and made many beautiful old time quilts. She continued this until she couldn’t hold the needles anymore. She was a wonderful cook and practiced the old ways of canning and preserving food. The tomato juice, beans, banana peppers and other canned goods she put away were delicious. As for NASCAR, she only had one flaw and that was; She was a Jeff Gordon and Davey Allison fan. This created some fun competition during NASCAR races where Dale Earnhardt was racing as the rest of the family was a fan of his. The family traveled to many races at Bristol, Charlotte, and Daytona over the years. The motorhome served as a great raceway camping getaway and the food, fun and friendships developed will never be forgotten.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Napier and siblings, Cleda Mayne, Owen, Delbert and Leo Grubb and five infant siblings, Lena, Theena, Stella, Leon and Olin.
Survivors include her loving son, David Jackson and wife, Amy, of Barbourville; sister, Roberta McFadden of Corbin; treasured grandchildren, Chris Jackson and wife, Keisha, and Tyler Napier; great grandchildren, Tytus, Tucker and Teegan Jackson; several nieces and nephews; among other loved ones and dear friends.
Her funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Thursday, November 6 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Thom Brown officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Jones-Hurst Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be family and friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home Thursday after 12 Noon until the funeral hour.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.