Betty George Cotten

Betty Cotten died at Hospice Austin's Christopher House on Sunday, September 7, 2008. She was 65 years old. She had been diagnosed with cancer on May 25, 2008. Betty was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 17, 1943 to Dr. J.C and Jane George. In 1948 the family moved to Brownsville, Texas where she grew up and attended public schools. She entered the University of Texas in 1961 and was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She got her degree in 1964 and, in that same year, married Mike Cotten, a student at the UT Law School. Upon Mike's graduation from law school in 1965 the couple did a three year tour of duty in the Marine Corps after which they moved back to Austin in 1968. Betty taught at A.S. Johnston High School from 1968 though the fall semester of 1969. Daughter Ashley was born in July, 1970. Daughter Lesley was born in June, 1974. While the girls were growing up Betty was active in the Heritage Guild, the Junior League of Austin, Docents at the Governor's Mansion and Pi Beta Phi Alumnae. When the girls were grown and off to college, Betty became interested in full time employment. After substitute teaching in the Eanes school district for several years she got a position with the UT Ex-Students Association in 1988. She started out selling tiles to raise funds for the expansion of the Association's building. After several years she became the Director of Travel of the Flying Longhorns, a job she called "the best in the world." In that job she selected, coordinated and hosted international and domestic trips that were enjoyed by hundreds of Texas Exes over the years. Her love of travel extended to personal trips she took with girlfriends, most recently to Morocco, Myanmar, Vietnam and India. She never met a museum or cathedral, temple or mosque she didn't like. Betty was also an avid gardener. She spent many hours working in her flower garden and enjoying those of others through her garden club. She was full of life, loved adventure, treasured her many friends and was devoted to her family. Betty was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband Mike, daughters Ashley Putman of Austin, Texas, and Lesley Childress of Jackson, Mississippi; six grandchildren; and brothers Jim George of Brownsville, Texas, and Rob George of Euless, Texas. A memorial service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Thursday, September 11, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. To honor Betty's memory the family has established a scholarship in her name at the Ex-Student's Association. Memorials may be sent to Texas Exes, P.O. Box 7278, Austin, Texas 78713.