Betty Jean Thomas Drinkard, 88, of Old Grist Mill Rd, Appomattox passed away at Lynchburg General Hospital on February 10, 2018 surrounded by her family. Betty Jean was born in Lynchburg, Va., on October 21, 1929; she was a daughter of the late Beatrice Baxter Thomas and Hubert Maurice Thomas.

She was a member of Euclid Christian Church on Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg. On April 7, 1950, Betty Jean married the love of her life, Elantha Martin 'Jimmy' Drinkard II. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She retired from Courtland Manufacturing and was instrumental in the Clover Hill Village and loved gardening and genealogy.   She loved her family and took care of many, many children along the years.

She is survived by two sons, David Oscar Drinkard and Donald Lee Drinkard and wife, Paula all of Appomattox; three grandchildren, Tabitha Lamberth and husband, Stephon, Ashley Drinkard, and Eli Drinkard; four great-grandchildren, Bryce, Myah, Kirsten and Maison; two sisters, Nancy Ann Gregory and Margaret Justice; a sister-in-law, Penny Thomas; three godchildren, Jennifer Moore, Jason Thomas and Jonathan Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.

Betty Jean was the beloved wife of the late Elantha Martin 'Jimmy' Drinkard II. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Hubert 'HM' Thomas Jr., William A. Thomas, Richard Thomas and Jimmy Thomas; and three sisters, Doris Thomas, Catherine Harvey, and Shirley B. Clements.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Robinson Funeral Home, Appomattox by the Rev. Robert Phillips. The family will receive friends at the residence.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Humane Society.

We want to thank the exceptional staff of nurses on the 4 ^th floor east wing at LGH who comforted and cared for our nanny and our family.

Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com