Bettie Sue was born on October 12, 1931, in Kanawha County, West Virginia, to Roy and Alberta (Chapman) Platt. She attended Concord College in Athens, where, during her first week on campus, she met Don Hobart, the young man who became the love of her life. On March 18, 1951, Don and Bettie Sue eloped to Warm Springs, when they began a marriage that lasted 62 years. Bettie Sue knew her father and brother Harry would be less-than-happy about the elopement, especially since she and Don had to keep their marriage a secret for 8 months while he completed Air Force basic training. Twin daughters, Debra Sue Hamilton and Donna Lynne Harden, were blessed beyond measure to have the honor of calling these two extraordinary individuals “Mom” and “Dad”.
Bettie Sue was proud of being a West (by God!) Virginian and later returned to Concord to complete her degree in education. She was an elementary teacher for 21 years. During their marriage, Bettie and Don traveled around the country and the world as they both served their country as an Air Force couple. Anyone Bettie met, even during her final hospital stay, was treated to tales of her life as the wife of a fighter pilot and commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron Black Sheep. The years she spent with the incredible men and their wives who were “Black Sheep” were the highlights of her life. As she is laid to rest in black sequined party attire, her wishes to also have a lapel pin attached to her top identifying her as a Black Sheep have been honored.
Preceded in death by her husband, parents and her brother, Harry Platt, Bettie Sue provided a stunning example of strength, courage, tenacity, and perseverance to her daughters and to the grandchildren she loved more than life itself: Kara Comte, Donald Hay, Tamara Murphy and Rachel Fogg. She treasured the time she spent and memories she created with each of them over the years. The stories they have to tell of her will be shared with Bettie Sue’s great-grandchildren: Austin and Kayla Comte; Sydney, Nathan and Noah Hay; Caleb, Cooper and Kinley Murphy; McKenzie Howard and Bella and Tyler Fogg. She is also survived by her cherished sister-in-law, Inez Platt, and several nieces and nephews.
There are no words to thank Bettie’s long-term caregiver, Lisa Welch, for the love and support she provided in recent years.
Bettie Sue will be reunited with Don as she is laid to rest during a family only service in Houston National Cemetery – “never to be separated again.” In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that those wishing to make a donation do so by contacting Flags for Fallen Vets – Houston Chapter (https://flagsforfallenvets.com; select Houston National Cemetery) or Wreaths Across America – Houston (https://waahouston.com) .
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