Betty Jean Uriegas

Betty Jean Uriegas, 66, passed away on August 8, 2026. Born and raised in Lula, Georgia, Betty built a life and career defined by service, courage, and an unshakeable will.

She began her professional life at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, first working in the Hall County Detention Center, then a dispatcher, and ultimately becoming a sheriff’s deputy, her dream job. She was one of only a few women serving with the department at that time, and a proud member of the department’s Honor Guard and Dive Team, carrying out every assignment with the same steady dedication that defined her whole life.

On August 17, 1994, Betty suffered an accident in the line-of-duty when her patrol vehicle struck a tree, leaving her a C4 quadriplegic. What followed were almost thirty-two years that revealed the true measure of her character. Betty faced her injury with extraordinary strength, refusing to let it define the limits of her life or her impact on the people around her. Her courage was recognized with the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart, and she remained an inspiration to her family, her fellow officers, and her community for the rest of her life.

In 1996, just two years after her accident, Betty carried the torch for the Atlanta Paralympic Games — a powerful testament to the same spirit and determination that carried her through the decades that followed.

Betty is survived by her husband, Gabriel Uriegas; her daughter, Dr. Betsy Grunch, and son-in-law, Raymond Grunch; her son, Gabriel Uriegas II (“Tony”), and daughter-in-law, Nora Uriegas; her grandchildren, Riley and Beatrice Grunch; her mother, Martha Moore; her sisters, Barbara Duffee and Becky Jarrard; her brother-in-law, Doug Duffee; sister-in-law, Sherry Summerour; her aunt, Ann Moore; and her nieces and nephews, Ashley Mann, Steve Mann, Christopher Duffee, Kayla Duffee, and Mandy Barnett.

She was preceded in death by her father, Aaron Moore.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Memorial Park South Chapel with interment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday, August 14, 2026 at Memorial Park South Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kids’ Chance of Georgia’s Betty Uriegas Memorial Scholarship at https://kidschancega.org. 

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway Flowery Branch, GA 30542 is in charge of arrangements. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.