Betty Ann Cole, 85, of Covington, passed away at her residence Oct. 26, 2023, while sleeping.
Betty was born in rural Covington on April 27, 1938, the second daughter of four to, the late, James Paul and Anna Ellen (Delp) Cole.
Betty was the senior homecoming queen, graduating from Tangier High School in 1957; the same year the Tangier basketball team won the Parke County Sectional Championship, the first sectional championship ever in the history of the 47 year old school that later consolidated with Turkey Run in 1959. She loved to play basketball in her school days — if there had been a girls’ basketball team then she would have been a star-player.
Betty started working at RR Donnelley of Crawfordsville right after graduating high school, retiring after 30 years. Later, she worked at R&S Printing in Danville.
She followed basketball and football throughout the years, mostly listening to games on the radio as she followed her nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces playing. She was so proud of them. She enjoyed bowling and belonged to several leagues over the years. Betty also loved skating and traveling when she wasn’t working.
Betty helped her parents all through the years and was always there for them. She loved woodworking, building many things, refinishing furniture, skilled carpentry work who could build most anything and also an avid gardener. She worked on all of these passions until she passed.
Betty is survived by two sisters, Ima Jean (Harold) Grubbs and Dora (Larry) Scott, both of Covington; nieces, Vicki Hartman of Perrysville, Julie Clark of Champaign, Illinois, Angie Estock of Danville, Illinois, and Jennifer (Royden) Butterfield of Westfield; nephews, Steve (Tamara) Grubbs of Ocala, Florida, Randy Grubbs of Covington, Chad Spencer of Seymour and Brent (Shelley) Scott of Covington, nine great-nieces; eight great-nephews; and five great-great-nephews as well as several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Margy Spencer; great-niece Little Kylie Estock; and nephew Jamie Grubbs.
Betty was one-of-a-kind, doing things her way and we all will miss her so much.
Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. EST Friday, Nov. 3 at Shelby Funeral Home, 622 Third St., Covington. The funeral will follow at 3 p.m., with Dennis Chew officiating. Interment will follow at Lower Mound Cemetery.
