Betty Jean Craig Abell, 87, of Lebanon, KY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary with her daughter by her side. She was born on June 14, 1932, near Jessetown, in Marion County. She received a Catholic education and was a longtime member of St. Augustine Church in Lebanon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Gerald Abell; parents, Alonzo and Zora Newcomb Craig; sisters, Alma Chrisitne Wise, Barbara Ann Leake and Wanda Lay; brother, Charles Craig; infant children, Mary Deborah Abell and Joseph Anthony Abell.

Survivors include her sons, Dr. Tom Abell (Libby), of Lexington, KY, Mike Abell (Emily), of Richmond, KY; daughter, Pam Abell Caldwell (Michael), of Danville, KY; nine grandchildren, Shannon Abell, Lauren Edwards, Megan Ervin, Shonda Smith, Lakeisha Abell, Kara Abell, Thomas Abell, Kaycie Caldwell and Mikey Abell; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Rita Higdon and Jewell Faye Williams. Also survivng are several nieces, nephews and close friends.

Amazing, strong, intelligent, and sassy, Jean never shied away from telling a biting joke or launching into a rendition of her youthful escapades - innocent as they were. She had a quick wit that made those around her, especially her siblings, quick to smile and even faster to laugh. Always the life of the party, her humor and spunk will be missed by many.

After completing high school at St. Augustine, she received a full scholarship to the University of Louisville; a scholarship which she gave up to marry the love of her life, a decision she never regretted. Their marriage lasted 60 years during which time they visited every state park in Kentucky, most national parks, traveled to Europe, and visited every state except Hawaii.

She was a longtime employee of Marion National Bank, claiming at one time that she was sure she knew the family tree of every person in Marion County. Following retirement, she worked briefly helping her son establish the Eye Institute of Central Kentucky, then traveled for a number of years with her husband, Gerald, hauling Corvettes for their son, Mike. Never one to abandon a family member in need, she and Gerald stepped in to help care for their granddaughter, Kaycie, during their daughter's long and ultimately successful battle with cancer. Kaycie and her grandmother continued to share a strong bond throughout the rest of her life, although, like her mother, Zora, every person in her family is still convinced that they were in fact her favorite. Aware that Kaycie would not be able to fly back from Austria, where she lives with her husband, due to current circumstances, she and her granddaughter shared a heartfelt goodbye recently over the phone.

For the past eight years, Jean has been a resident of the Loretto Motherhouse Infirmary where she was President of the St. Mary's Garden Club and was loved by many fellow residents and staff, to whom she often gave comical nicknames.

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, there will be a private funeral mass with burial to follow in Lebanon National Cemetery. A memorial mass for all to attend will be held at a later date. Although an unfortunate situation, it is the family's hope that all will understand this neccessity.