Born in Athens, Betty was a daughter of the late William Jewell Byrd and Lucy Thornton Byrd. She worked at Westclox until she retired in December of 1998.
Betty was loved and adored by her family. She was affectionately called "Granny" not only by her grandchildren, but other family members. She was a beautiful, very strong, independent woman whose greatest enjoyment in life was her family and tending to her flower gardens. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a smile that lit up the room. Her family always looked forward to and enjoyed her famous pan of biscuits and heavenly fudge. She spent many hours reading and played a mean hand of rummy. Most of all she loved her family and her family loved her.
She is preceded in death by her son, Otha Lee Coley and survived by her remaining four children, Richard Coley of Athens, Patricia Coley Ponder (Ken) of Cumming, Neal Coley (Kathy) of Watkinsville and Gail Coley Field (Richard) of Leland, NC; brothers, Tommy Byrd of Mount Vernon, Charles Byrd (Regina) and Bobby Byrd (Linda) (both of Athens); sister, Carolyn Hyatt of Athens; grandchildren, Jennifer Coley Harvey, Waylon Coley, Brooke Coley Young, Kelley Ponder, Lee Ponder (Mary), Emily Ponder, Ashley Coley Morgan (Vincent), Amanda Coley Jenkins (Cody), Roxanne Turner (Corey) and Rachael Gunn (James); 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 1720 Epps Bridge Parkway, Suite 108-383, Athens, GA 30606; online at https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/georgia/athens?form=donate
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
