Bettye Corcoran

Bettye Adelle Corcoran left this earth on November 28, 2022, following a brief illness. Our sweet “Aunt Bettye” was only 23 days shy of celebrating her 87th birthday.

Born in Columbus, GA on December 21, 1935, Bettye attended Florida State University, graduating in 1958 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Her first job found her teaching 3rd grade at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL.

Later her education career took her to Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island where she was the Director of Children’s Education. In the early 1970’s, Bettye relocated to Atlanta, GA where she held the position of Director of Christian Education at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.

Bettye spent the remainder of her long education career devoted to her position as the Director of Children’s Ministries for the North Georgia Methodist Conference beginning in the mid 1970’s. She dearly loved this calling and the challenges of supporting children’s educational programs in small churches in North Georgia. During these years, she also earned a Master’s degree at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Upon her retirement in the early 90’s, Bettye relocated to Gulf Breeze following her love of the beach from her early Epworth days and to be near her family. As a new Gulf Breeze resident, Bettye once again became very involved in her community. She was a member of the Gulf Breeze Stitchery Guild, the Gulf Isle Neighbors and was a Gulf Coast Disaster Relief volunteer as well as being a member of numerous book clubs.

Bettye also found a new calling here, as an instructor of multiple adult Bible Classes at the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. Even after she was no longer able to attend in person, Bettye joined the weekly classes regularly right up until the time of her death.

She took great pride in her most recent endeavor as she was instrumental in the research and development of the “Women in Methodism: A Legacy in Leadership” exhibit at the Arthur JJ. Moore Methodist Museum at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island.

Aunt Bettye enjoyed time with her family, traveling, following the Atlanta Braves and cheering for her beloved University of Alabama football team. Anyone who knows Aunt Bettye knew and appreciated her familiar “ROLL TIDE” greeting.

Those left to celebrate her life include her loving brother, Rusty Corcoran and his wife Sandra of Gulf Breeze; three nieces, Kim (Jerry) Lloyd of Marietta, GA and sons, Jay and John; Shannon (Gary) Higgins of Ormond Beach, FL and daughters, Megan (TD) Corcoran and Letha; Shay (Bill) Bessemer of Gulf Breeze and daughters, Bayla, Elora and Izzy. She also has a nephew, Shawn (Jeanie) Corcoran and their children, Sloan, Lakelyn, Stephanie, and Stuart. Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Corcoran, Jr., Martha Corcoran and a niece, Jackie Lockhart.

Our family would like to express our gratitude to Emerald Coast Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to Tracy Wilder, for her compassion and support as a caregiver for Aunt Bettye.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bettye’s name to the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum at St. Simons Island or the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church.