Bettye Usher DeLoach

Bettye Usher DeLoach, 88, of Wauchula, went to her eternal home with the Lord on Friday, December 20, 2013. Born on February 18, 1925, in Miami, she was the daughter of Robert Moody Usher and Locia Lowery Usher. After graduating from Miami High School in 1942, she received a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1946 from Florida State University (then Florida State College for Women) in Tallahassee. Upon graduation, she worked with the Florida Welfare Department in Miami. In March of 1951, she married Charles H. DeLoach in Miami, then the couple moved to Jacksonville where her husband was employed with Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. She continued her employment there with the Florida Welfare Department. She and her husband remained in Jacksonville for nine years, during which time their son and three daughters were born. They subsequently lived in Atlanta, GA., ( where she worked for the American Red Cross ); Pittsburgh, PA, ( where she attended the graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh ); St. Petersburg, Fl. ( where she was again employed with the Florida Welfare Department, handling child adoptions and also with the Florida Children's Home Society in charge of foster care ); and Chicago, ILL. ( where she was employed as Personnel Director for Lord & Taylor Department Store ). Upon their retirement in June 1987, the couple returned to St. Petersburg for 15 years before moving to Wauchula in 2004. In their retirement years, she and her husband traveled extensively with Friendship Force International to England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, New Zealand, Austrailia, Japan and Thailand. They have also visited in most of the United States. She was an ordained deacon in the United Church of Christ, an ordained Stephen minister and a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Wauchula, The Wauchula Wednesday Musicale, P.E.O. Sisterhood and an honorable member of the Florida Suncoast Chapter of Friendship Force International. She was predeceased by her twin sister, Bobbye Kelly, and two older sisters,Louise Dole and Lillie Drake. Survivors are her loving husband of 62 years, Charles H. DeLoach of Wauchula; four children: daughter, Debbie Abraham and husband Larry of Boca Raton; son, Robert DeLoach and wife Pam of Charlotte, NC; former daughter-in-law, Nancy DeLoach of Cuthbert, GA; and daughters Kathy Chapman and husband John of Jacksonville and Barbara Hand and husband Jamie of Wauchula. She is also survived by one sister, Nancy Turner of Westminister, CA.; eight grandchildren, Breena Schermerhorn and husband Dave of Black Mountain, NC; Micheal DeLoach and wife Lauren of Tampa; Tucker DeLoach of Charlotte, NC; Ashley Chapman of Bradenton; Parker Chapman of Gainesville; Sarah Chapman Farris and husband Emmett of Tampa; Keith Abraham of Boca Raton, Karen Abraham Bahn and husband Brian of Boca Raton; two great-granddaughters, Scout and Cass Schermerhorn, both of Black Mountain, NC; and one step-granddaughter, Tylena Revels; and numerous nieces and nephews. At her request, a private family Celebration of Life was held at the DeLoach home on Monday, Dec. 23. Memorials maybe made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave.,Auburndale, Fl 33823;P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BP, c/o Judy Wooten, 5751 55th Terace N.,St. Petersburg, FL, 33709; the Mary Martha Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, 1570 W. MAin St., Wauchula, FL 33873; or the Hardee County Public Library, 315 N. Sixth Ave., Wauchula, FL 33873.

Bettye Usher DeLoach

February 18, 1925 - December 20, 2013