It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Elizabeth “Bette” Ann Haney. She passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025 at the age of 86.
Bette, affectionately known as Bee by her grandchild and great grandchildren, was an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. Her lifelong passion for music and cooking were evidenced in everything she did. A true musical prodigy, she won the Indiana state musical competition at the age of 17, all while running a fever and the next day being diagnosed with measles! After graduating from high school, she studied the organ at the University of Illinois before marrying and starting her family. Her love of all things musical never diminished and she shared her gift by often playing the organ at St John’s Episcopal Church in Decatur and later by singing in the St Luke’s choir.
Bette’s cooking skills were legendary. She was featured in Southern Living and had a weekly cooking segment on the Tom York Morning Show. Bette was lauded as the person who received the most fan mail every week! Always the enterprising woman, she started a commercial bakery that produced the best yeast rolls in the south and created a seasoning spice that made anything taste better!
Bette was the consummate hostess. Every party was made more special when she played the piano and every family holiday was made memorable because of the fabulous food she lovingly created.
Although her life was filled with a passion for all things food and music, her greatest love was her family. She was the best mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be greatly missed.
Bette was preceded in her death by her husband William “Bill” Keith Haney Sr and her son William “Keith” Haney Jr. She is survived by her daughter Dianne Matheson (Dan) her grandson.
William Matheson (Lara) and her great grandchildren Savannah, Isla and Jonathan Matheson.
A memorial service will be held at St Marys on the Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham Alabama on Monday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation in the church’s living room beginning at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bette’s memory to St. Mary’s on the Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
