Betty Jean Gandee, age 76, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Life Care Center of Centerville.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Rick Points officiating. Following the service, she will be laid to rest in Polk Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
Born on August 23, 1949, in Maury County, Tennessee, Betty was the daughter of the late J.C. Daniels and the late Frances Smith Hickman. She graduated from Columbia Central High School and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Trevecca University. On February 22, 1971, she married the love of her life, Steven Clarence Gandee, who preceded her in death on September 23, 2023. Betty dedicated many years of her career to General Motors, where she worked as an administrative assistant until her retirement.
Betty was a member of the Lions Club and a volunteer at the Maury Regional Medical Center gift shop. She loved spending time outdoors, planting flowers, and bringing new life to old furniture through painting. An exceptional cook, Betty was known for her delicious cheesecake and homemade macaroni and cheese.
She is survived by her son, Steven Scott (Heather Ann) Gandee, daughter, Kelley (Chad) Blackwell, siblings, Joyce Cunningham, Nora Mangrum, Frankie (Ruby) Daniels, Jimmy Daniels, Kathy (Tony) Helmick, Joe (Shelby) Daniels, and grandchildren, William Shelton Blackwell, Steven Drake Gandee, and Jaycee Addison Blackwell.
Those serving as pallbearers will be Scott Gandee, Drake Gandee, Chad Blackwell, Shelton Blackwell, Mark Gandee, and Donnie Gandee.
