Bette Cowden Walker quietly passed, with family by her side, on Christmas Day, 2023.
Bette was born in Anniston, Alabama on October 1, 1929 and was the daughter of Willie Geneva Usry and Stewart Benjamin Cowden. In 1951, she both graduated from Jacksonville State and married. A few years later, Bette and her husband Dan moved to Huntsville, settling on Monte Sano, where she became active in a number of developing mountain organizations such as Church, PTA, Civic Association, Bridge and Dance Club. For decades, she continued to serve in a number of roles within various community groups and was honored with a Light of the Mountain Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer contributions. Bette was employed as the church secretary for Monte Sano United Methodist Church for 23 years serving alongside 10 ministers. Personally, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor.
Bette was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, James Daniel “Dan” Walker; and her two brothers, Robert Claude Cowden and William Stewart Cowden.
She is survived by her two daughters, Cynthia Walker of Dallas, Texas and Sally (John) Crenshaw of Birmingham, Alabama; grandchildren, John Daniel ‘Jake’ (Amanda) Crenshaw of Atlanta, Georgia and Kathryn ( Taylor Miller) Crenshaw of Washington, DC.; nephews, Bill and Rick Cowden and Jeff, Cliff and Chris Coats; family friends, Betsy Crenshaw and Emma Godfrey; and caregiver, Alma Williams.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 13th, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at Monte Sano United Methodist Church followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. A reception will take place in the adjoining fellowship hall after the service.
The family asks that any remembrance tributes be made to The Community Free Clinic of Huntsville, Monte Sano United Methodist Church or Monte Sano Village.
