Bettie Frost Sax

Bettie Frost Sax, 88, stepped out to be with her Lord and Savior early Sunday morning May 5, 2024. Born in Galax, Virginia on April 3, 1936, to Roy and Juanita Frost, she was the beloved wife of George Joseph Sax for 53 years and they built a beautiful life together. Their love story began 54 years ago at Carol Riggs Dance Studio, and they’ve been dancing through life ever since. They had a love story that stood the test of time and set an example for their children and grandchildren of what love should be. 

She is survived by their five children: George Paul Sax and his wife Crystal of Forest, William Anthony Sax of Lynchburg, Douglas Alan Sax of Lynchburg, Rebecca Sax Johnson and her husband Harvey of Huddleston and Ricarda Beamer Davis and her husband Kevin of Franklin County. She had five grandchildren: Crystal Gale Anielski (Kevin), Harvey Johnson III (Whitney), Joseph William Sax (Kayla), Casey Johnson (Jennifer) and Kevin Garrett Davis. She also had six great grandchildren: Madison Baileigh Lecolst, Jayslyn Mae Lecolst, Ethan Joseph Sax, Aiden Douglas Sax, James Johnson and Madison Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Dean Braselton Frost, her first husband of 10 years, Bobby Junior Beamer and two granddaughters, Hannah Lynette and Olivia Lee. 

Bettie was a member of Forest Road Methodist Church for 58 years and was treasurer for over 40 of those years. She loved her church and volunteered her time and love at every opportunity; from making Easter candy to the yearly salad smorgasbord to the Ruritans dinners to potlucks; whatever she could do to raise a dollar to help fund the projects around the church she was “all in”. 

Bettie was a graduate of Radford University; her daddy wanted her to go to college and made sure that she was able to go when everyone else said there was “no good reason” for a girl to go to school. 

She was a retired school teacher at Brookville High School; she dedicated 30 years to her profession. It all started in her hometown of Galax, Virginia in 1958 but ended quickly when her husband decided to go to Danville Tech, and they moved to Danville. She got a teaching position at Whitmell High School, now Tunstall. They loved her there and were intent on her getting a full-time position, but as luck would have it, she became pregnant: back in the day the school system would not allow you to work more than 3 months, so she had to give up the job. She chose to stay home with her daughter for the first three years until she was ready for day care. She did substitute at the old Brookville High School from 1964-1965; in 1965-66 she moved into the new Brookville High School. She started out substituting for Mrs. Hughes who was on maternity leave. She then taught World Geography and worked in guidance. In 1967 she finally got to start working in her chosen field of mathematics. In September 1968 her husband passed away of lung cancer and everyone thought she’d go back to Galax, but Lynchburg was her home and Brookville was home and just the beginning of 30 wonderful years. She taught Math 9, Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Regular Algebra I, Geometry, Informal Geometry, Algebra II, and Trig. Advance Math. She taught so many students over the years and loved them like they were her own. There were many nights she would grade papers until the wee hours of the morning, making notes to each student on what was wrong and how to do the problems correctly. She would make arrangements for tutoring at her home and have a plate of homemade cookies ready for the ones who came. She even cried over a few of those students because she knew they could do better but weren’t giving it their all. After retirement she enjoyed running into past students and having them recognize her and say “you haven’t changed a bit Mrs. Sax” or “Thank you Mrs. Sax.” 

Bettie was a longtime member of the Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society of key women educators. She served as the chairwoman of the Hospitality Committee for over two decades, overseeing the preparation of countless luncheons and dinners and practicing radical hospitality. 

One of Bettie’s biggest hobbies was cake decorating and she was known for her delicious one-of-a-kind cakes all over town. In the last 35+ years she helped make birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and retirement events for those being celebrated something they would never forget. Her confections are estimated to have exceeded 5,000 in number. Many of the brides contacted her later and commented that their wedding cake was one of the most beautiful that they had ever seen! 

A family visitation will take place at Forest Road Methodist Church on Saturday, May 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM with the funeral immediately following. Reverends Elizabeth Ecklund and Ronald Litten will officiate, interment at Fort Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Boys Town Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.  To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.