Bette Williams, 89, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed suddenly on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.  Bette was a sparkling presence, full of wit and wisdom. Anyone who met her will have fond memories of encouraging words or a well-told story. She had a youthful energy and an irreverent sense of humor that she never lost. She made it her personal mission to find something to compliment you about and loved to give advice or if nothing else make you smile or laugh even at her own expense. She was very social and the last months with COVID were particularly hard on her. She never met a stranger and loved to organize events and champion causes. Entertaining and service to others defined her entire life.

Born and raised in Miami Florida and ever the pioneer, Bette became one of the first stewardesses hired by National Airlines. She met her handsome Navy pilot in NYC and their great 60-year love story began. She left the airlines and turned down a lucrative modeling opportunity with the Ford Agency in NYC to become a bespoke wedding planner in Miami before raising three daughters. Bette and Smokey were committed and devoted parents. Bette threw her boundless energy into charitable work and support of her children. She was a dedicated and loving mother to her three daughters, Cheryl, Cynthia, and Christine. One of her most treasured commitments was to the Coco Plum Woman’s Club Cotillion in Miami where for many years she held board positions and worked to bring refinement and a polished presence to many of Coral Gables youth. Bette always exuded elegance and an inimitable style. She had the great fortune of knowing how she wanted to live and encouraged everyone she met to be the best they could be and above all be passionate about whatever they pursued.

Bette was always deeply involved in her churches from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Miami to many years of service at St. John Lutheran Church in Winter Park and then finally the Chapel at Sky Valley in North Georgia.

Bette was also a very talented artist who was former President of the North Georgia Arts Guild and a founder of the Sky Valley Art Festival. It was in this majestic mountain town where she and her husband of 60 years, Francis (Smokey) Williams, retired after years of living in Winter Park, Florida. They spent 20 memorable and magical years there. Family and friends recall the studio downstairs where they worked together to create many butterfly and birdhouses that we still cherish.

She spent the last ten years of her life in the beautiful community of Lanier Village Estates. Many people there, particularly the staff, remember the special relationship she and her husband had. There is comfort in knowing that she was surrounded by people who knew her well and loved her.

Bette will return to Sky Valley Georgia and the Chapel Columbarium that she and Smokey helped to plan and build many years ago. She had always known right where she would be, next to the love of her life and surrounded by all their friends with whom they spent many years enjoying their well-deserved retirement, now overlooking the peaceful valley all together again.

Bette will be missed immensely by her family and friends.   She was preceded in death by her husband Francis \"Smokey\" Williams. She is survived by daughter Cheryl Riley of St. Petersburg, FL. and granddaughters, Caroline Oliver (Adam) of St. Petersburg, FL, Catherine Riley of Milton, GA and grandson, Trip Saunders of St. Petersburg, FL., daughter Cynthia Chase (Paul) of St. Simons Island, GA, and granddaughter Frances Chase and grandson Paul Chase, Jr. of Atlanta, GA., daughter Christine Williams, and her sister Barbara Pohlman of Delaware, MD.

If you have any personal remembrances or pictures to share please add them below. In this time of COVID and social distancing, the family will have a private interment and service but plan to have a celebration of life and contribution next spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest a donation to the Chapel of Sky Valley, Sky Valley GA.