Bette Cooper Landers

Bette Louise Cooper Landers, 91, of Dalton, passed away at Regency Park Health and Rehabilitation on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Bette was born on September 27, 1931, in Rome, GA (Floyd County). She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Albert Sidney Johnston Landers, Jr. and her parents, Martin Martha 'Jackie' Cagle Cooper and Carl Dewitt Cooper.

Bette is survived by her children, Carl Sidney Landers and John Martin Landers (Stephanie); grandchildren, Catherine Landers, Zachary Landers, and Bradley Landers; niece, Lisa Landers Taylor (Gerry); and nephew, Steve Landers.

The family will have a private graveside service at West Hill Cemetery on the 24th of June with Reverend Matt Christian officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to ChristChurch Presbyterian, 510 S. Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA 30720.

Bette grew up in Trion, Georgia, and graduated from Trion High School. Bette and Albert would begin dating sometime after he returned home to Trion following his service in the US Navy. One day Bette was walking down the sidewalk with a friend, Albert's younger brother James, and Albert saw them. Later Albert asked James, "Who was that walking with you?" James told him it was Bette Cooper, but he could not believe it because Bette had been a teenage girl when he last saw her.

Soon he asked her out and they began dating. But he had to prove himself, to Bette, to her mother, and to Bette's father who was the Chief of Police for the Town of Trion. Eventually he did. Bette and Al loved each other. They were married on December 25, 1949.

Bette was a dedicated mother and homemaker to her family, making do as Al's career led to a number of family moves. James would marry Bette's childhood friend Nell Howard, and the two families with their children close in age stayed close even when distances came between them. The first move took Bette and Al for the first time away from Trion to South Carolina, with toddler Sid. Three years later they were back in Georgia, in Rome. After a corporate merger the family, now with both Sid and John, moved to West Point, Georgia. Many good years were enjoyed there, and friends were made that were lifelong.

More corporate acquisitions led the family back to northwest Georgia, to Dalton, for several years, then for a brief few years to Alabama before finally settling permanently back in Dalton. Dalton, too, provided many good years and lifelong friends. Bette served as a volunteer for many of Dalton’s civic organizations, including the Creative Arts Guild and two Garden Clubs.

She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Dalton, then in later years and until her death a member of ChristChurch Presbyterian in Dalton. Bette’s family is eternally grateful for the comfort and support that was provided by ChristChurch Presbyterian to Bette during her final days, as well as the visits and love from numerous friends.

Bette will certainly be missed by all those who knew and loved her. Her family in particular misses the way she made every occasion special, made her house the family home, and gave her love to each one abundantly with a hug and a smile. She showed us how to love each other.