Obit – Mrs. Betty “Jean” Kemp Caplenor
Mrs. Betty “Jean” Kemp Caplenor, age 89 years young of the Flat Rock Community passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
Mrs. Jean was born December 29, 1935, in the Buffalo Community of Smith County, a daughter of the late Leslie Edgar “Lex” Kemp and Cleo Deltha Givens Kemp. She married Charles Judson Caplenor on August 1, 1956 and he preceded her in death in 2018. Mrs. Jean was also preceded in death by Daughter; Tammy Mofield, Son-in-Law; John Norman, Brother; William H. “Buddy” Kemp and Sister-in-Law; Joyce Bennett Kemp.
Mrs. Jean spent most of her childhood in the Sullivans Bend Community. After marrying Charles in 1956, they lived on the Caplenor Family Farm until their deaths.
Mrs. Jean graduated from Smith County High School in 1955. She worked at the Carthage Flower Shop for several years before coming to Gordonsville where she owned and operated Gordonsville Flower Shop for 45 years. In recognition of her years of excellence and dedication, Mrs. Jean was awarded the Smith County Business Woman of the Year in 2008. She was saved at an early age and was a faithful longtime member of the Rome Baptist Church.
Mrs. Jean is survived by Daughter; Micky Norman of Tullahoma, TN, Betty (Bill) Scruggs of Cookeville, TN, and Connie (Steve) Gibbs of Mt. Juliet, TN. Son-in-Law; Mike Mofield of Rock City, TN. Ten grandchildren; Jay (Heidi) Norman, Matthew (Emily) Norman, Mary Lidstrom, Trent Willmore, Judson (Jess) Mofield, Martin (Marlana) Mofield, Mallory Mofield, Laurel (Micha) Pittman, Kacie Scruggs, and Zach (Megan) Gibbs. Fifteen great grandchildren; Isabella, Madalin, Joslynn, Lily, Abe, Jack, Sam, Charlie, Marlee, Alora, Jahziah, Wyatt, Millie, Emma, and Maggie. Sister; Evelyn (James Lowe) Taylor. Brother; James (Donna) Kemp. Sister-in-Law; Geraldine (BJ) Reich, and several loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Jean were conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11AM with Bro. Wayne Malone officiating. Interment followed in the Wilson County Memorial Gardens.
The family requests memorials in Mrs. Jean’s memory be made to the Vanderbilt Pediatric Cancer Center or the Vanderbilt Ingram’s Cancer Center.
BASS of GORDONSVILLE
