Gregg Bettis

TULLAHOMA Gregg Steven Bettis, 55, passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, at his residence.Mr. Bettis was born in Chattanooga to the late Clyde Bettis and Betty Davis. Gregg grew up in Hixson, and played high school sports. He graduated from Hixson High School in 1975. He was a graduate of MTSU. He was a longtime member of Believers Chapel in Murfreesboro and a currently attended New Life Ministries in Manchester.Lt. Col. Bettis was a member of the 105th Airlift Squadron, 118th Airlift Wing, Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, as a C-130 navigator in the Tennessee Air National Guard. He retired in 2011 with 27 years of honorable and distinguished service to his country and the state of Tennessee. During that time, he served in various worldwide airlift missions, to include Operations Desert Shield, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. His decorations include the Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Tennessee National Guard War Service Ribbon with 1 device.Mr. Bettis was preceded in death by his parents.He is survived by his wife, Karla Bettis; children, Matthew Bettis, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Lydia Helton (Taylor), of Rockvale, Daniel Bettis, of Tullahoma; brother, Stanley Davis; sisters, Sandy (Bill) Russell, of Chattanooga; Vicky (Al) Henderson, of Lewisburg, Tenn.; father, Homer Davis, of McDonald, Tenn; and many extended family.Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at Murfreesboro Funeral Home with Pastor Barry Mershon officiating.Burial to follow at Beechgrove Old Cemetery.In lieu of flowers family ask for donations to be made to Hope Givers International.Those wishing may send condolences online at www.murfreesborofuneralhome.com.Visitation with the family will be from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013, at Murfreesboro Funeral Home.