Betty Jane Williams Kinchen, was born January 25, 1927 in Columbia City, Florida to Charley and Jessie Johnson Williams, a multi-generational Florida Cracker family. She joined her loved ones in heaven on February 17, 2016 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband Ira D. Kinchen, sister, Mary W. Barber and her husband Talmadge Barber, and brother Arrie Williams. She was employed with the College of Medicine at UF, Florida Farm Bureau and retired from the UF Foundation. She was an active member at North Central Baptist Church and Northwest Baptist Church. She enjoyed all facets of church life, including Clowning during book fares and directing weddings. As part of her Florida heritage, she volunteered to make hoe cakes at the Museum of Natural History Old Pioneer Days. She taught many how to make pine cone wreaths at the Morningside Nature Center. As a member of the Gainesville Clown Club she was known as “Buttons” and brought many smiles to children at Shands Hospital and in nursing homes. She is survived by her beloved husband’s children, Beverly Kinchen Jones (Jack), Denise Kinchen Bradt, and Karen Kilgore, who she lovingly referred to as her other daughter. Grandchildren, Heather Smith Shearon (Mason) and Lucas Smith; Mindy (Chad) Cady and Great Grandchildren, Reed and Wyatt Shearon; Madison and Kendall Cady, as well as many family members and friends. Many thanks to all the staff at Haven Hospice for their loving, gentle care. In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to Haven Hospice 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606 or Northwest Baptist Church 5514 NW 23rd Avenue Gainesville, FL 32606. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2016 at Northwest Baptist Church with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Forest Meadows Central.
