Betty Elizabeth Cheek, 86, a lifelong resident of East Ridge, died on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.
It has been noted Betty was an "amazing woman" with her life’s accomplishments and kindness.
Mrs. Cheek was a founding member of East Ridge Baptist Church and Frawley Road Baptist Church. At Frawley, she served as president of the Sunday School Class, activity director, served on various committees, established Youth Church and the Children's Choir.
Betty Cheek was an elected official in the city of East Ridge and served two terms as Commission of Public Welfare and vice mayor. She managed the East Ridge Animal Shelter, Library and the Sanitation Department. Betty Cheek was a member of Women in Government. She established the first Children's Health Clinic in East Ridge.
Betty created the Wheel Chair Brigade for the Life Care Center, recruited volunteers to push wheel chairs, raised funds, and coordinated the weekly activity with the East Ridge police. She was instrumental in blocking a 250-unit apartment complex East Ridge in a congested, closed neighborhood, raised $2,500 with a Sunday Bean Dinner and hired a lawyer, eventually ceasing the construction event.
During the time of the 50-year flood in Chattanooga, Betty coordinated food, supplies and clothes for the people in need and spoke on national TV, and canvassed neighborhoods to make people aware of fraudulent contractors. She served travelers in a rescue shelter during the Tennessee worst storm, the 1990's blizzard. Betty was instrumental in planning and organizing a Desert Storm Parade.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Cheek both were members the Civilian Conservation Corps the local chapter of the NACCCA Chapter 148 of Ft. Oglethorpe. Mrs. Cheek was associated with the Chattanooga Free Press for 38 years.
Her husband of 69 years, Clyde Floyd Cheek, preceded her in death July 7 2010.
Betty Daverson Cheek is survived by her sister, Marjorie Daverson Spann; children, Ann Mize (Gail), Nancy Mercer-Defriese (Spencer), C. Floyd Cheek Jr. (Carole), and Glenn Cheek (Lynn); grandchildren, Lisa Tester, Greg Mercer, Brent Mercer, Chris Cheek, Shelly Cheek Lewis, and Iris Cheek, all residing in the Chattanooga area; great-grandchildren, Tessa Mize Allen, William Mize, Abigail and Emma Tester, McKenna and Caden Mercer, Bethany and Brooke Cheek; great-great-grandchildren, Kira Allen, Vincent Allen and Brianna Mize (William and Tessa's children).
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, H.G. and Nora Daverson; brothers, Cecil and Grady Daverson; sisters, Bonnie Daverson Keith, Flora Daverson Scott, Winnie Daverson Lanksford, and grandson, W. C. Mize.
Both Betty and Clyde will always be remembered as people who care about others, who helped others, and showed their support in the spirit of love and kindness. Betty will be remembered as a person who made "Things Happen, rather than wondering what happened."
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home at 404 South Moore Road.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, February 10, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be at noon on February 11, at Frawley Road Baptist Church with Reverend Billy Dean officiating.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.