Betty King is from a small-town in Georgia, but her love of Tallahassee grew on her after moving here with her husband in 1960. As her family blossomed – eventually including a son, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren – so did her passion to serve the community.

As a devoted Elder Care Services Senior Companion volunteer for Big Bend Hospice for the past 11 years, her desire to help has been a blessing for terminally ill people with limited caregiver or family support. Betty volunteers 20-30 hours a week, visiting patients in Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla counties and expressing sincere compassion during this very stressful time. She has helped over 80 patients work with their limitations, empowering them to understand that they can make choices in their overall care and encouraging them to focus on the present.

In addition to her Hospice work, Betty serves at Mt. Sinai AME Church as a respected stewardess and missionary, helping foster unity within the congregation and working closely with the minister. She takes pride in guiding the younger generations within the church to find their path.

Betty’s big heart extends into her personal life. She has adopted an older adult who is speech, sight and hearing challenged. They get out, run errands, travel around town, and have even taken a cruise. Betty has welcomed people into her home that have experienced life challenges and is a caregiver to her great granddaughter.

In her spare time, Betty likes to take walks around her neighborhood and immerse herself in music, singing along to her favorite gospel songs. She also enjoys dancing. The key to active aging for Betty is to stay physically active and maintain an active role in your community and church.