Betty Jane Werme
January 22, 1926 ~ January 31, 2026
Born in:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly TrailBetty Jane (BJ) Walker Werme was born on January 22nd, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She returned to the Lord on January 31st, 2026. She was 100 years young, mentally alert, and still passing along sage advice. Cherished by her children, family, and friends. Her beloved caregiver, Carolyn Gregg, became an honorary oldest child of our family. We concede that she was also the favorite over the past few years!
Born to E.L. Walker (originally of Alabama) and Ruby Sue Terrell Walker (originally of Virginia) she was a welcome addition to her two big brothers, Eschol and William, whom she adored. Their household was lively and she grew up loved and protected. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers, and precious daughter-in-law Judith Georgette.
While attending the University of Pittsburgh she was a proud member of Chi Omega Sorority. Friendships that she treasured. Betty also met the love of her life, Bill Werme. They married following graduation. Dressed in a breathtaking gown created by her mother they had a candlelight ceremony at University of Pittsburgh’s exclusive Heinz Chapel. The pictures are like a fairytale.
Family was everything to Betty. They first welcomed William Gordon, then Barbara Jean, and lastly little Beverly Sue. She and Bill designed and decorated a beautiful home which was featured in a local newspaper. So many forever memories that we all still share.
Betty had numerous creative outlets for her artistic talents and we all benefited from her tireless endeavors. Her sewing skills were exceptional (like her mother before her). She knitted wonderful sweaters and afghans. Bill created a greenhouse for her burgeoning plant collection. She grew a diverse garden to use for pressed flower art. BJ was best known for spectacular pine cone wreaths and gorgeous needlepoint Christmas stockings. She gave them to family and people she loved. Many fireplaces and front doors are blessed with them.
Lastly, Betty and Bill enjoyed so much together. Books, worldwide travel, theater, dining out, and spending time with friends. Their years as best friends with Bill and Ruthie Eiler is a story unto itself.
Betty Jane will be dearly missed by her children Bill Werme, Barbara Deegan (Michael), and Beverly Schulman (Ira). Her grandchildren Wesley (Brent), Ryan (Anna), Max (Ro), Mackenzie (Nathan), Zachary (Rachel), Cody, Zoey, and Wyatt. Along with great-grandchildren Brenley Jude, Lux Ruby, Blake Ellen, Logan, Lucas Patrick, Perry and Atlas. Also, nieces and nephew whom she adored. Betty Jane loved, and was loved, unconditionally.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Sounds like an amazing lady. Does didn’t know her but by her obituary, her family really loved her. She made it exactly 100 years ! That’s amazing it’s self.
Condolences to her family and all who knew her
Wanda Meadows
Thank you so much, Wanda!
We are so proud of our mom. She wanted to celebrate her hundredth birthday, it was her personal gift to us. She embodied “true grit” just like her dad, Eschol Walker, who lived to be just shy of 99. I say this because it wasn’t easy for her. She was funny to the end but very tired of the fight her body was presenting her. We were all lucky to have her at home, to feel her hand squeeze ours, to see her eyes brighten as grand children and great grandchildren came in to say “hi grandma”, to be there when she left in a blanket of white snow early in the morning. You could almost see the angels between the soft, swirling snowflakes. Mom believed in angels, and that dad was waiting for her.
How beautiful, Brother!❤️
We were so blessed to have Betty Jane as our mother! She was the perfect mom for her three crazy kids. We all adored her.💕
To Bill, Barb and Bev,
Not seeing your mother for over 55 years I still recognized that smile! And it brought up so many wonderful memories!
Your mother was a force of nature. She kind of scared me sometimes because she always knew when Bev and I were up to no good even before we got to do anything “not good.” She was kind and welcoming (except when she just cleaned the house and knew we’d mess it up) I think I got my love of sewing and creating from seeing her magnificent work. I am so sorry for your loss but I know how lucky you are to had her in your lives for so long. My mother will be 102 in June.
Oh, Lucy!! Thank you for your kind words. I can picture you, Beverly, and Jane like it was yesterday. You three knew how to have fun.😍 Blessings to your own mother. XOXO
~Barbara
Over the last ten years since our dad passed away, my husband and I visited our mom many times in Asheville. She awaited each visit well in advance, as she did with all her children. Each visit began with her laughing smile and a loving embrace. Each ended with her waving goodbye, tears in her eyes, after asking when we’d return. She was our mom, both of ours.
We made two visits to see her in January – one was happy, one was not. Only two weeks after a joyful celebration of her 100th birthday, we returned to say goodbye. We were blessed with many hours by her bedside, holding her hand and stroking her hair. In a moment alone, she said to me “You have to let me go. It makes me sad to see you cry.” How did she know what even I did not realize? I’d rather hold her hand as she slept than let her go.
Soon thereafter, in the early daylight, it was our time to wave a final tearful goodbye as she had so many times before. She left surrounded by a landscape of freshly-fallen snow – serene and soundless. In the soft snow still falling, we watched her leave. “Goodbye mom. We love you.”
Every morning from her bedside and throughout the day from the kitchen, she sat, looking through the picture windows at her beautiful gardens created over many years by our brother Bill. From straggly beginnings of transplants from Pittsburgh and a hickory branch saved from our dad’s funeral arrangement, the flower beds, trees and bushes grew to surround the entire backyard and to the overgrown woods beyond. Soon, with spring, leaves, flowers and birds will return to her gardens and, with it, a memorial, filled with cherished memories of her past life and loving prayers for the new one. “I want to be with your father.”