Betty Perdue Griffin Gocken's Obituary
Betty Perdue Griffin Gocken, 73, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2013, at Heart of Georgia Hospice Inpatient Unit after a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, December 22, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Perry United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Bonaire Community Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 21, 2013, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home in Perry. Flowers will be graciously accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Perry United Methodist Church, 1002 Carroll Street, Perry, GA 31069.
A lifetime resident of Houston County, Mrs. Betty was the daughter of the late George Ervin Perdue, Jr. and the late Ophie Holt Perdue. She was a graduate of Warner Robins High School and attended North Georgia College. As a young woman, she was a member of Alpha Epsilon Sorority, a service organization for women in Warner Robins. Mrs. Betty was a business woman all of her life. She was Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Houston Fertilizer and Grain, which has remained a family business since its inception. Later in life, she owned American and International Travel Agency for 18 years and enjoyed planning trips where her clients would make the most wonderful of memories. Mrs. Betty was a member of the Houston County Board of Elections for over 20 years. Eventually, she became the first female member of the Houston County Commissioners, which made her and her family so proud. She enjoyed watching Fox News, which she spent many hours doing, particularly later in life. Mrs. Betty was a member of Perry United Methodist Church. She loved to read, but her passion in life was her family, especially her grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as "Beppy". Mrs. Betty spent many hours watching them and supporting their efforts in sports and their other interests. She is sure to be seated in the stands in Heaven, continuing to cheer them on as they grow up and conquer the game of life. Mrs. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, Jimmy Daniel Griffin; her husband of 26 years, Roland "Smoke" Gocken.
Left to cherish the memories of Mrs. Betty are her devoted daughters and their husbands, Marci and Deen Cawthon, Tamatha and Ed Beckham, III, and Kimberly and Martin Pinckney, III; her brother and his wife, Sonny and Mary Perdue; her grandchildren, Griffin Cawthon, Conner Cawthon, Avoly Pinckney, Leyton Pinckney, Beck Beckham, and Brant Beckham; her aunts, Elizabeth Talton (Richard) and Gervaise Perdue; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who meant so much to her.
To share a special story or leave condolences for the family, friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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