Betty Vernon Markham
Betty Vernon Jeffress Markham, 112 Dogwood Drive, Danville VA, peacefully passed away on Sunday afternoon, October 19, 2025. Betty was born April 7, 1951, to Daniel and Juanita Jeffress, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by two siblings: John Jeffress and Margaret Cobb. Betty grew up in Caswell County, NC, on her parents’ tobacco farm. She graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School and the Forsyth Memorial School of Nursing in Winston-Salem, N.C. Betty is survived by her husband of 53 years, Rev. Rick Markham; her three children: Faith Markham (Steve Pagan) of Cary, NC, Brendan Markham of Danville, and Brian Markham (Jess) of Portland, Oregon; and her sister Carolyn Johnson (Ken) of Port Angeles, WA. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Peyton, Liam, Lily, Luke, and Nora, as well as by a number of nieces and nephews, numerous friends both in the U.S. and Ireland—and her beloved cat, Cinnamon.
As an RN, Betty nursed at Rex Hospital (Raleigh), Baptist Hospital (Memphis), and SOVAH
(Danville). She was a devoted pastor’s wife, mother, nurse, friend, and church member. For 11 years, from 1974 to 1985, Betty and Rick lived and ministered alongside Irish Baptists in the border county of Donegal, Republic of Ireland. All their children were born there.
Betty will be remembered by all who knew her as a positive, gentle, loving Christian, who gave of herself for others, especially her family and those in need. She never knew a stranger and always had time to serve. She did this throughout most of her adult life, while suffering numerous health problems, about which she rarely complained.
A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, October 26, 3:00 PM, at Calvary Baptist Church, 416 Edgewood Drive, Danville, VA. Pastor Michael Snyder will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 until 2:30 that day; otherwise, they will be at the residence.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association or to Calvary Baptist Church (Edgewood Drive).
