TOLLESBORO — Betty Ripato, 79, of Tollesboro, gently and peacefully entered the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior Wednesday evening April 8 at 9:55 p.m.
Betty was the daughter of the late Wilford and Ruby Fuller of Fleming County. She was born on Feb. 16, 1941, in Glen Springs and was later raised in Dalesburg in Fleming County.
She is survived by two children, Mark (Kim) Ripato and Jennifer (Jim) Meadows; four grandchildren, Matthew (Jill) Meadows, Amanda (Josh) Hawkins, Colton Ripato and Cody Ripato; and four great-grandchildren, Mollie Meadows, Miles Meadows, Clara Hawkins and Callie Hawkins. Betty is also survived by three siblings, Ruth Caskey (Lloyd Jr.) of May’s Lick, Harold (Ann) Fuller of Dalesburg and Mary Maude (Max) Gilkerson of Dalesburg.
She was preceded in death by two others, William (Billie Jean) Fuller and Brenda (Brink) Fuller.
She graduated from Fleming County High School in 1959. Then, in her early 20s, Betty and her new husband, Elmer (Rip) moved to Tollesboro, where she remained a life-long resident.
Over the years, she held a variety of jobs including employment by Ready Mix Concrete in Maysville, Judge Boone Dummitt’s office in Lewis County, the Independent Warehouse in Maysville and Independent Reality.
She retired, after serving 20 years as the Property Valuation Administrator in Lewis County. Her popularity in that role was confirmed by being reelected to serve for four consecutive terms. While in that capacity, Betty served in a number of leadership roles at both the county and state levels.
She and Rip were life-long entrepreneurs. They owned Rip’s Farm Supply and Rip’s Farm Center for a number of years. Betty also owned Betty’s Car Wash for 15 years. In addition to these roles, they were life-long farmers until Rip’s passing in 1991. She loved agriculture and the community it served, proven not only by her continuing to farm after the passing of her husband, but the expansion of the operation.
She was a member of the St. Mary’s Eastern Star Chapter 504 from Concord, The Tollesboro Red Hatters and the Tollesboro Christian Church. She enthusiastically and passionately supported all of these organizations along with the Tollesboro Lions Club.
Betty left a long legacy of hospitality and service to the community and to the state of Kentucky. She was a vibrant person full of energy, vitality and enthusiasm who loved her family, friends and community with all her heart.
She’ll always be remembered by those who knew her best for her love of shoes, shopping, travel and her endless desire “to go” anywhere, anytime and at the drop of a hat. She will be missed immensely. But, we all know she is celebrating with the Lord today and we are confident she has heard the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Due to COVID-19 requirements set forth by Governor Andy Beshear, a private graveside service will be held Saturday, April 11, 2020, at Hillcrest Garden of Memories in Mason County with Brother Johnny Byard and Brother Layne Wagoner officiating. Matthew Meadows, Colton Ripato, Cody Ripato, Harold Fuller, Junior Caskey, Josh Hawkins and Jim Meadows will serve as pallbearers. Max Gilkerson will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
We will celebrate her life together with a memorial service at the appropriate time. As Governor Andy Beshear says, “We’ll get through this…we’ll get through this together.”
Tollesboro Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Tollesboro is caring for all arrangements for Mrs. Betty Lou Fuller Ripato.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Widows Fund and/or the Hunt for the Gospel ministry at the Tollesboro Christian Church at 3684 W. KY 10, Tollesboro, KY 41189.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.globefamilyfc.com.
