Long before becoming beloved by generations of Mayberry fans for her portrayal of Thelma Lou, the ever-patient sweetheart of Barney Fife, Kansas City native Betty Lynn lived a life filled with interesting adventures and fascinating people.

In her own words, augmented by 140 rare photos, Betty shares the sometimes bittersweet, often surprising, and always inspiring story of her remarkable life. From her wartime service in India and Burma to sharing the spotlight with entertainment royalty from New York to Hollywood, Betty always remained grounded in her Midwestern values and strong faith.

Yes, Betty Lynn will forever be Thelma Lou to millions of us, but, as you will discover in these pages, there is also much more to learn and love about this truly extraordinary woman. Enjoy her incredible journey!