Betsy Hurd Bourner died peacefully in her sleep on July 17, 2015, in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 94.
Betsy was born on November 23, 1920, in Nashville to Countess Mitchum and Clarence Howard Hurd. She was a 1938 graduate of Peabody Demonstration School and a 1942 graduate of Peabody College with majors in art and biology. After graduation, she married Howard L. Bourner, a fellow art student at Peabody, and later president of his own product design firm. The marriage lasted until his death in 1984. The Bourners had one daughter, Elizabeth Bourner Laney (Wayne) and two grandsons, John Hurd Laney and Christopher Bourner Laney, all of Huntsville, who survive.
Although Betsy’s working career ended with World War II, she spent a lifetime as an uncompensated care-giver and social worker for a multitude of people, including elderly relatives, old high school friends, neighbors, and down-on-their-luck yard help. Her aunt Mabel Currie bought Betsy her first VW Beetle in the early 1950’s, and for the next half-century, Betsy could be seen driving around Nashville and the surrounding area, taking the less mobile shopping at Hills, banking, and to medical appointments. Her greatest trial was giving up her last Volkswagen in 2012.
In 2003, Betsy surprised everyone by marrying old friend Candler Wilson Butler, Jr. A brief but happy marriage ending with Butler’s death in 2006, Betsy remained close to her Butler family, and is survived by Vickie Butler Barnes Taylor (Don), Candler W. Butler III, Sharon Butler Anderson (Bob), Daniel Ross Butler, Suzanne Dowdy Butler, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. One grandson, Jacob Keegan Butler, preceded her in death.
Betsy served as the repository of Nashville history, family memories and humorous stories, and she was a treasured presence at gatherings. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Betsy is survived by one sister-in-law, Lorraine Bourner of St. Louis, several nieces and nephews, and devoted cousins: Alice Mitchum Fitts (Bill) of Spring Hill, Tennessee; Robert Mitchum (Naomi) of Houston, Texas; Bill Mitchum (Anita) of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Jeremiah Mitchum of Cookeville, Tennessee; and John G. Hurd (Lorna) of Walnut Creek, California.
A visitation with the family is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 4:30 to 6:30 pm., at Church of the Nativity in Huntsville. A memorial service will be held at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville on Tuesday, July 21, at 3:00 pm, preceded by a visitation in Reed Hall at 2:00. Clergy from West End will be assisted by Rev. Mary Anne Akin of Birmingham. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to West End United Methodist Church Music Fund, Church of the Nativity, or to the charity of your choice.
