Betty Mott

A celebration of life service for Betty Ann Birdwell Mott, 85, of Cookeville, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at Collegeside Church of Christ with Dr. Joe Roberts officiating.. Mrs. Mott's family will receive friends on Saturday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home, and at Collegeside on Sunday one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Cookeville City Cemetery. Mrs. Mott passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018 in Sparta. Born on November 13, 1932, Betty Ann was the daughter of Hollie and Ravene McGlasson Birdwell. Her early years were spent in Gainesboro. She was a lifelong, steadfast member of the Church of Christ. She was a 1950 graduate of Central High School in Cookeville, and attended Draughon's Business College in Nashville. A consummate homemaker, Mrs. Mott was devoted to family. Her home was centered on the table, and her self-taught cooking skills were widely admired. She was also a talented employee, holding executive secretarial roles at Nashville Bridge Company, Fleetguard, and First Tennessee Bank, and serving as executive director of the Algood Senior Center. She volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout leader, member of Beta Sigma Phi, and president of the Pilot Club. Betty Ann loved to laugh, sing, and talk. She was fond of colorful idioms, handed down from ancestors who helped settle the Upper Cumberland. One of her favorites, "as tough as whitleather," was also an apt descriptor of her own resilience and determination. She was married for 60 years to Stacey James Mott (died 2016), whom she met while working at radio station WHUB. She will be forever remembered by sons Jim (Deb) of Waterville, NY, and David (Lori) of Ames, IA, daughters Betsy (Lee) Galliher of Bristol, TN, and Melinda (Stewart) Leftwich of Cookeville, brother Jack (Betty) Birdwell of Nashville, sister Cindy (Jimmy) Ranieri of Dover, DE, and daughter-in-law Theresa Mott of Utica, NY. Her brother Billy Hugh (Shirley) Birdwell preceded her in passing. Mrs. Mott was immeasurably proud of her grandchildren Pearce Galliher, Sarah Galliher (Chris) Newton, David Leftwich, Libby Leftwich, Luke Leftwich, Aaron Mott, Katie Mott, and Matthew (Alejandra) Mott, and great-grandson Lukas Mott. The family expresses its appreciation to the staff of Life Care of Sparta for their compassion and dedication. Memorial contributions may be made to Happy Haven Children's Home 2311 Wakefield Dr. Cookeville, NTN 38501, Collegeside Church of Christ Benevolence Fund 252 E. 9th Street, Cookeville, TN 38501, or a charity of your choice. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.