Betty Hosford Thompson

Betty Bryson Hosford Thompson, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 7, 2011, at the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House.

She was born October 27, 1925, in Sarasota, Florida to Daphne Irene and Walter J. Bryson,Jr. Her father was in the road construction business which led her family to live in Nashville, Tennessee, Dubach, Louisiana and Ft. Walton, Florida before they settled in Tallahassee in 1935. She graduated from Leon High School where she was a cheerleader and member of the Springtime May Court. She then attended Florida State College for Women where she met the love of her life, Joseph Emory Hosford, (General Manager, WCTV, and President, Phipps Broadcasting) on a blind date. She was so proud of the Hosford legacy and the family history of Hosford, Florida in Liberty County. They had four children and were married 31 years before his untimely death. Betty later married Ford Thompson (Retired Judge) and they enjoyed the later years of their life together with friends and family before Ford’s death in February, 2006. She was also preceded in death by a son, Walter Michael Hosford.

Betty worked in the Leon County School System for Caroline Brevard, Kate Sullivan and Elizabeth Cobb Schools. She also worked for the Florida Legislature intermittently throughout her life. Betty will always be remembered for her flair with decorations for the Capital City County Club, Colonel’s Club, Town Club, and Extra Point Club, as well as for any friend or family member who needed her talents for any social occasion. She loved her friends in her Bridge Club, her Garden Circle, her Sunday School class at Trinity United Methodist and all her many friends she shared her summers with at Alligator Point. Betty never met a stranger and loved to dance at any occasion where there was music and friends. She was always the life of the party and taught her children to enjoy life with a great sense of humor and spending time with the people you love. The day before Betty died, she asked “So what are you going to write about?” When asked if she was talking about her obituary she replied, “Just put in a little bloop, but with a great big smile!”

She is survived by her 3 children, Joe Hosford, Jr., Dick (Colleen) Hosford and Gini Hosford (Jeff) West); a brother, Walter J. (Mary) Bryson III; grandchildren, Colson (Katie) Hosford, Malcolm, Layton and Austin Hosford, Jennifer Hosford, Pierson Hill, Brittany (Wilson) Dean and Will West, Jr.; and 2 great-grandchildren, Dawson and Harper Dean.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 13, 3:00 pm, at Killearn United Methodist Church, with reception to follow at the church. Because of the wonderful care and support provided to Betty and her family, in lieu of flowers, they request that memorial contributions be made to Big Bend Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.