Kaye Settle
Betty “Kaye” Jessee Settle, of Lynchburg, formerly of Greenville, SC and Springfield, VA, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at her home surrounded by her greatest loves.
Many could say she passed after a long battle with cancer. But if you knew her, you knew she was a multiple Cancer Survivor and Warrior. She never gave up, never lost hope and never gave in - to her last breath she fought. She fought to be with and here for everyone she loved. Her dedication was there through her very last moments; her love and commitment will never be forgotten.
She was born in Danville, KY on September 5, 1945, the only child of John Dickenson and Rubye Hanson Jessee.
She touched so many around her in ways that were meaningful. She was a fierce friend, advocate, and confidante. She rode the happy times with friends and family, but if you were in trouble and needed someone by your side – Kaye was a force to be reckoned with. She saw who you were, who you wanted to be, and she would help you figure out how to get there. She had a way of being brutally honest, but only with the best of intent and only to drive the best result. There are many that cherish and will cherish memories of her in ways that can’t ever really be explained, if you know – you know.
An avid reader – you could regularly find her hunting for books anywhere they were to be had. She refused to move into the times of a silly kindle or tablet…what would she need that for; all she needed was a book. Besides, an iPad is for playing games, reading emails, and looking for shopping deals. Without a book, during relaxation times you would find her curled up watching all the best British television or Science Fiction there is to offer.
Kaye had a flare for anything she did. How she decorated or put a meal together. She loved anything created by P. Buckley Moss, she was a collector that would put many others to shame. More so was her love of Christmas – particularly Santa Clauses and all the decorations placed with love. She was a lifelong Methodist, an enthusiastic member of the Red Hat Society for several years, and a highly competitive Hand and Foot player (but happiest when she was winning). Kaye was fun and at the same time made anything she touched beautiful.
She was a natural explorer and loved antiques or touchy feelies as she called them. Kaye and her husband Kemp traveled up and down the east coast visiting family and friends in Kemp’s RV. Kemp could say she tolerated his love of RVing. Let’s put it this way, she would have rather been camping at a Ritz Carlton but thoroughly enjoyed every single one of their adventures together. Stopping along the way to discover Antique Shops and Flea Markets. Kaye loved things that were old, had beauty and value. Their traveling gave her new hunting grounds which over time became regular places to visit. She really enjoyed it when they went to Florida each February to hide away from the cold and eat at all their favorite restaurants.
Left to cherish and hold her memory close, always, are her husband and best friend of over 32 years, Kemp Nicholas Settle; her daughter (her pride and joy) Jessica Thompson Ford; her son in love Danaus “Dan” Ray Ford; and her constant companion, Sherlock aka Jessica’s bubby (a very sweet and precocious Peak-a-Poo).
The family will receive friends from 3:00–5:00 pm on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Whitten Funeral Home Timberlake Chapel, Lynchburg, VA. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at Signal Hill Memorial Park, 12360 Hanover Courthouse Rd, Hanover, VA, 23069.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor Kaye by sending a donation to the Lynchburg Humane Society, 1211 Old Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502 to help support her love of dogs.
