Bettie Ann Linville

Bettie Ann Linville, 88, passed away surrounded by family on March 11, 2026, in Asheville, North Carolina. She was born on November 1, 1937, in Welcome, North Carolina, to Robert Bradley Thomason, Sr. and Ethel Fritts Thomason.

Bettie was a longtime member of Ardmore United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem before becoming a community member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, when she moved to Asheville. In her later years, she lived at the Brooks-Howell methodist retirement Community in Asheville. Bettie held a special appreciation for her friend Annette Hatley at Brooks-Howell, with whom she shared meaningful moments discussing the New York Times and other reading material in the library.

Bettie’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.  She listened to people, she appreciated who they were, and she gave generously of her time, attention, and care. She found in Don Linville a partner whose temperament and values matched her own and they spent 42 years together creating a home where all people were welcome. In particular, Bettie was a loving and caring “Nana” who delighted in her grandchildren’s adventures and her time spent with them.

Bettie is survived by her loving family: her daughter Gina Linville (Lorin Cushman) and their children Mia Gray and Reed; her daughter Katie Byrd Robinson (Mark) and children Cole Mackie (Alyssa, and great-grandson Brooklyn) and Jesse Robinson (Allen); her dear sisters Cass Mitchell and Alice Long; as well as many treasured nieces and nephews. Bettie was preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret Elizabeth; her husband Donald; and her brothers, Robert Thomason and George Thomason.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to the Brooks Howell  Employee Christmas Fund (Checks made out to Brooks Howell Residence Council)  or to your local PBS station since its programming served as an outlet for Bettie’s great curiosity, enriching her life.

A celebration of Bettie’s life will be held in the Brooks Howell Chapel on Saturday April 25 at 2 pm.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bettie Ann Linville, please visit our floral store.