Betty D. Courey

Bet Courey, 74, of Young Harris, Georgia, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Bet was born on March 27, 1949, in Martinsville, Virginia, to Forrest and Maggie Deal. She grew up in Bassett, Virginia, and she graduated from Bassett High School. She met Michael Courey while they were both studying at the school of x-ray technology in Roanoke, Virginia, and they married in 1969. After Michael's service with the U.S. Air Force, in 1971 they relocated to Tampa, Florida, where they built their lives and raised their two children. Bet worked as a teacher at the preschool at St. Paul's Catholic Church while raising her family. She was a longtime dedicated volunteer at the Catholic Charities pregnancy and parenting support center in Tampa and a member of St. Timothy's Catholic Church. In 2013, Bet and Michael relocated to Young Harris, Georgia. Bet immersed herself in the North Georgia community, continuing her devotion to quilting, friendships, and volunteering. She was known and respected for her beautiful, creative quilts - which brightened many rooms and hearts - and she will be remembered always for the deep and unconditional love she showed to her friends and family. Her favorite sayings were "Life is Good" and "Thank You, Lord" - and this indeed was her path - a life focused on gratitude, joy, faith, and the goodness of those around her.

Bet was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Maggie. She is survived by Michael - her husband of nearly 55 years, her son Bennett and his wife Nicole, her daughter Emily and her husband Scott, her five grandchildren, her sister Dotty and her husband Jimmy, and her nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 3717 GA-515, Blairsville, Georgia, with lunch to follow at the parish hall. Interment will take place at a later date to be determined by Veterans Affairs. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Georgia Mountain Pregnancy Center, 136 Hospital Drive, Suite A, Blairsville, Georgia 30512, or to Pruitt Hospice, whose team provided loving care and support to Bet and her family, via the PruittCares Foundation, 1626 Jeurgens Court, Norcross, Georgia 30093.