Betty Jane Grice

Betty Jane Grice (née Brown), 78, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer on December 19, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

She was born on March 12, 1947, in Banner Elk, North Carolina, to the late John Clayton Brown and Mary Belle Brown, and spent her early years in Johnson City, Tennessee. After high school, Betty moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to pursue higher education with dreams of becoming a nurse. Life took her on further journeys to Louisiana and then to Bryan/College Station, Texas before she happily returned home to Johnson City, where she spent her later years.

Betty married William Anthony Grice in 1970, and their greatest joy was their son, William Anthony "Tony" Grice Jr., who was born in October 1976. Betty was an extraordinary mother who devoted herself fully to giving Tony the very best life possible. Her boundless kindness and selflessness touched everyone she met. As a devoted daughter, sister, and friend, she always placed others' needs above her own.

A woman of deep faith, Betty grew up and was baptized at Unaka Avenue Baptist Church, and in her adult years she was a member of Boones Creek Christian Church. Professionally, she excelled in secretarial roles, including Speedway Baptist church, Texas A&M University, and finally as an executive aide at East Tennessee State University, from which she retired. Her warmth and dedication endeared her to colleagues wherever she worked.

Betty found great pleasure in life's simple joys: playing tennis, cultivating beautiful gardens, and loving animals, especially dogs. She was known for her compassionate habit of picking up lost dogs and ensuring they were safely reunited with their owners. Her faithful companions included JoJo in her earlier days and Anya, who brought her comfort from 2004 until 2018.

She is preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, John Michael Brown, brother-in-law, Joe Oaks, and William Grice, Sr.

Betty is survived by her son, Tony Grice, sister, Judy Oaks, brother, Kim (Paula) Brown; nieces, Lori Oaks Hankes, Jenny Oaks Dugger, Abbey Brown Whitley, and Olivia Brown Williams. She is also survived by many dear friends whose lives she enriched with her generous spirit.

A memorial service celebrating Betty's life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Morris-Baker Funeral Home in Johnson City, Tennessee. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter, in honor of the furry friends she would have loved to meet.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is serving the Grice family. (423) 282-1521