Betty Jane Chappell

Betty Jane Harbuck Chappell, 91, of Americus, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at Hebron Baptist Church. Rev. Jim Eubanks will officiate the service. The family will greet friends at the church Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until service time.

Betty Jane lived a full and faithful life. She grew up in a large, loving family, married the love of her life, raised and cherished her two children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, taught generations of children, and supported her home church. Her memory will be cherished by her daughter, Gayle Clark, and her husband, John, along with their children Ashleigh Jones and her husband, Josh, and their children Ella and Ada, and Adam Clark; her son, Scott Chappell, and his wife, Mary, along with their children Kendall and Connor; and many extended family members and friends.

Born in 1934 in Marshallville, Georgia, Betty Jane was the youngest of ten children of William Thomas Harbuck and Eliza Johnson Harbuck. She graduated from Marshallville High School, attended Georgia Southwestern College (now Georgia Southwestern State University), and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Middle Georgia College (now Middle Georgia State University).

Betty Jane married Bobby Chappell, the love of her life, in August 1956. She was devoted to her family and shared with them her love of Jesus and the traditions that bound them together: family reunions, holidays, gardening and putting up vegetables, and weekly trips to Piggly Wiggly.

Her teaching career began at Thalean School and continued at Smithville Academy and then Southland Academy, where she retired as a fifth-grade teacher. She had a deep passion for children and spent many years educating them and carpooling youngsters in the community to school. Those who knew Miss Betty Jane said she was the kindest and gentlest person they had ever known. She was unfailingly generous and gracious to friends and strangers alike.

Betty Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Chappell; her sisters Ouida Satterfield, Leta Mae Evans, Margaret Ellison, and Leona Layfield; and her brothers John Harbuck, Roy Harbuck, William Louis (Bill) Harbuck, Alva Harbuck, and Ray Harbuck.

If you wish to make a gift in Betty Jane’s memory, please consider a donation to Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery Fund C/O Elaine Thomas 163 Gary Brewer Road Cobb, Ga 31735 or Southland Academy Foundation Po Box 1127 Americus, GA 31709.

A special thanks goes to the staff at The Gardens Senior Living in Statesboro and Kelly with Gentiva Hospice for the love and care they gave over the past few months.