Betsy Inabnet

A graveside memorial service for Miriam Elizabeth (Betsy) Mahone Inabnet will be held in Murphree Cemetery in Evant at 10:30 a.m. July 27, 2019. Following, a visitation will be held at the family home on Circle Drive.

Mrs. Inabnet was born Dec. 2, 1923, in Williamsburg, Virginia, one of seven children, and had an idyllic childhood growing up on the York River on a farm that later became Camp Peary, the training facility for the CIA.

Betsy was intensely shy outside her family circle, devoted and loyal to her family. While working as a bank teller in Williamsburg during the war, she met the love of her life, James Inabnet, a Texan serving in the Navy.

In 1945, Betsy and James married and soon moved to Evant – a daring gamble for a shy young woman. With James serving as Evant’s Postmaster, Betsy worked by his side as a clerk while they raised their two young daughters.

Upon retirement, they opened Inabnet’s Woodworks and Needlecrafts on the square in Evant, where they were shopkeepers for more than 20 years, pursuing their passion and hobbies while still working side by side. Betsy’s hand- crafted needlework creations were well known and admired.

Throughout their 59-year marriage, Betsy and James would make many trips to Williamsburg and Colorado, their favorite destinations.

After James’ death, Betsy was always game for a trip with her family, going wherever they chose, not wanting to miss out on anything.

She was a member of Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Inabnet, and daughter, Normarie Inabnet Alexander.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Louise (Lou) Inabnet Chandler; son-in-law Ron Chandler; grandchildren Holli Hill, Heather Alexander, Jake Hill, Robert Alexander and Chris Alexander; and great-grandchildren Ashton Alexander, James Hill and Hudson Hill.