Betty Jennings Ward Walls, aged 89, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem, NC. Born on April 26, 1937, in Independence, VA, she was the daughter of the late Letcher T. and Bessie McKnight Jennings, and the youngest of their ten children.

Betty was blessed to find love twice in her life. She was married to William French Ward on December 25, 1958 until his death in 1998. She later found love again when she reconnected with her high school classmate, James "Jimmy" Ray Walls. Also a widower, Jimmy and Betty married in 2012 and shared a beautiful life together until his death in December 2024.

A hard worker and familiar face in her community, Betty spent many dedicated years working at both the Kraft Cheese Plant and the Water Plant in Independence.

Though she never had children of her own, she was a devoted and caring aunt who was always ready to share her time, love, and wisdom with her nieces and nephews. To her family, she was the keeper of cherished traditions; everyone loved her legendary dill pickles, her deviled eggs, and her special applesauce cake at Christmas.

In addition to her parents and her husbands, Betty was preceded in death by her sisters, Ruby Jennings, Aileen Sutherland, Louise Shores, and Donna James; and her brothers, Albert, Roy, Rex, Fred, and Bobby Jennings.

She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Geneva Jennings and Mozelle Jennings both of Galax, VA and dearly missed by generations of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, along with close friends who will forever cherish her memory.  A celebration of Betty's life will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the Reins-Sturdivant Chapel at 11:00 AM with David VanHoy, Greg Moore and Carson Moore officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Independence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Independence Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Independence Fire Department.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Indepencence is serving the Walls family.