Betty Jean (Lampkins) Kirklin was born November 12, 1934, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the fifth of thirteen children. Her parents, James Richard Lampkins and Leah Belle (Smith) Lampkins raised the children in Farrell, PA. Betty graduated in 1953 from Farrell High School. She met the love of her life, Perry William Kirklin, Jr. and they married in 1956. They had two daughters and one son. Betty was a devoted wife and mother as she cared for her children and worked while Perry pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. The family moved to Southampton, PA in 1964 where they lived for 40 years. They lived in an intentional co-operative community, Bryn Gweled Homesteads, where Betty participated on the Children’s Activities Committee and conducted a variety of arts and crafts classes to children in the community.

Betty attended Bucks County Community College for 2 years and then Trenton State College where she graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She was devoted to the education of young children and initially worked as a kindergarten teacher at the private school New Approach Method. From there she co-founded Little People’s College Day Care Center and Kindergarten in Trenton New Jersey. She served as a lead teacher and board member for 20 years. Betty was a dynamic teacher who maintained high expectations for all her students. She diligently sought to instill a love for learning and a respect for knowledge in the children entrusted to her care. Her dedication and love for her students lasted far beyond their school days and continued to enrich their lives.

In 2004, Betty and her husband relocated to Lakeland Florida. There she was pleased to find her church home at Word Alive Ministries where she delighted in the fellowship and spirit filled services. She participated in the Senior Saints and often led games and activities that brought enjoyment to everyone involved. Betty loved her games! She was an avid Scrabble player and the queen of 3-letter words. We knew better than to challenge her. She won several tournaments in the Polk County Senior Games. In her later years her favorite game became Triversity, a word game played with cards, that we played almost daily. She continually beat us all mercilessly. Always with the games came lots of fun and laughter.

Betty most loved traveling around the world with her husband, as well as with family and friends. She has traveled to over 29 countries. Along the way she collected turtles from each country she visited and amassed an extensive and priceless collection of turtles made from brass, stone, wood, shell, and precious gems and metals. Of special significance, she and her husband made several trips to Ghana where they visited the village of Kuntu and consistently donated school supplies. Her husband then founded the non-profit charity corporation, Kuntu Village Nkosohen Committee - USA (KVNC-USA) in 2003 to focus on Kuntu education and self-sufficiency. Betty faithfully served on the KVNC-USA board as Vice President and then President for a total of 20 years. Since 2005, KVNC-USA has has paid high school fees for over 100 Kuntu students, college/vocational fees for 20 Kuntu students, and contributed to other humanitarian efforts.

Betty was married for 64 years until Perry’s death in 2020. They lived a life that took them around the world, kept them connected to family, and built prosperity in living and love. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband and 6 brothers, Alfred Lampkins, James (Jun) Lampkins, Jr., Marion Lampkins, Cecil Lampkins, Carl (Duke) Lampkins and Booker (BT) Lampkins and 5 sisters, Rose Marie (Sis) Crump, Doris Murray, Peggy Robinson, Ruby (Vicky) Hyman, and Nancy McNeal. She is survived by her three children, Dr. Cheryl Merrell (Robert Merrell) of Winter Haven, Fl, Perry Kirklin III (Anaa Kirklin) of Mountain View, HI, and Dr. Pamela June (Charles Roland) of Lake Wales, FL, and one brother William (Billy) Lampkins (Devonna Lampkins) of Philadelphia, PA, as well as eleven grandchildren, an adopted grandson, two great grandsons, and a host of nieces and nephews.

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