Betty Jean Yoakum - Lamb

Betty J. Yoakum-Lamb

MACON, GA - Betty Jean Yoakum-Lamb, age 88 of LaSalle, Michigan & Macon, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at her home in Macon, with her loving husband by her side.

Born July 15, 1938, in Wixom, Michigan. Betty was the daughter of the late Fred and Orlie “Ott” (Wellman) Cordle. She was a 1956 graduate of Monroe High School.

Betty was a loving homemaker to her three children. She was also a Teacher’s Aide working at both Custer Elementary and Lincoln Elementary School. She retired after 20 years of service in 1997.

Shortly after, she found second love again. Betty met Choice “Buddy” Lamb while he was up from Georgia visiting family. They got married on November 10, 1998, in Ocala, Florida. They split their time in both Michigan and Georgia. Both enjoyed traveling to new states and just being together in companionship. They spent over 28 wonderful years together.

Betty was a faithful Christian woman. She prayed daily and was a lifelong member of the First Church of God of Monroe. Betty was deeply devoted to her faith and church. Over the years, she served on the church board, became a Sunday School Teacher and helped in the youth programs.

In her free time, you could find Betty outside when the weather was nice. She enjoyed tending to her garden beds, which were full of roses and they were her favorite. Betty liked to research her ancestry and genealogy as well. Most importantly, she was a kind and loving woman. Betty was a friend to everyone she met and she will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

Beloved wife of Choice “Buddy” Lamb. Loving mother of Deborah Kruse, Timothy (Kelly) Yoakum, and James (Jennifer) Yoakum. Dearest grandmother to Kellie (Joseph) Catalano, Kaitlen (Marco) Magdalener, John Kruse, Tim Yoakum Jr., Travis Yoakum, Kasandra (Joseph) Swartwood, Danielle Yoakum, Madison (Brock) Taylor, and Kayleigh Honick. Great grandmother of Joseph & Gemma Catalano, Johnny & Lola Magdalener, Aiden Yoakum, Harper & Mila Stevens, Christopher & Noah Swartwood. Dear sister of Bob Cordle and Rose Robinson.

Also survived by her stepdaughters, Joy Barrentine and Cathy (Randy) Starley. Step grandchildren, Aggie Barrentine, Oran Barrentine, Jeremiah Hendrix, and Levi Hendrix; and step great grandchildren, Mackenzie & Allison Hendrix, Elly & Lilly Clanton, and Sadie Barrentine.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her first husband, Joe F. Yoakum, grandson, Jimmy Yoakum; brothers, Jack & Ervin Cordle and sisters, Denise Dykstra and Marilyn Sharpe.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Rupp Funeral Home from 10:00 am until the time of service at 2:00 pm. Officiating is Rev. Larry Detruf. Burial will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Betty are suggested to the Benevolent Fund at First Church of God, 2121 S. Custer Road, Monroe, MI, 48161.

Online condolences may be sent to www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com or www.reecefuneralhomeinc.com

Rupp Funeral Home has charge of arrangements in Michigan

Reece Funeral Home has charge of arrangements in Georgia.