Bettye Jeanne Davis

Bettye Jeanne Davis,  90, lifelong resident of Chattanooga passed away Friday, September 14, 2018.

A graduate of Central High School, she was an avid sports fan and played fast pitch softball in the 1950’s as a pitcher retiring after an injury.

She served as President of the Girls Open Commercial Softball League and was instrumental in bringing the first Women’s National Slo-pitch Tournament to Chattanooga in 1969.  She served to improve the opportunities for women teams in Chattanooga.

Bettye was one of the first women to work in the Tube Mill Plant at Combustion in the 1980’s.

Bettye became the first professional woman bowler in Chattanooga in 1965 and retired after 45 years as the first Woman Bowler to carry a 180 plus average.  She bowled in numerous leagues and had served as president of the “Young At Heart” and “Senior Movers”.

Chattanooga Women’s Bowling Association inducted Bettye into the Hall of Fame in 1970 and she was inducted into the “Chattanooga Old-Timer Club” Hall of Fame in 1986.  She was personally responsible for putting 100 plus senior bowlers in three leagues at Fort Lanes.

She served as Public Relations Director for Fort Lanes and Tri-State Lanes Bowling Centers for many years.

She was an active member at GraceWorks Church.

Bettye was preceded in death by her father, Arnold Abner Davis, former president of the Chattanooga Brick Layers Union and her mother, Pauline Burton Davis.

She will be dearly missed by her many friends and church family.

Bettye is survived by many friends and loved ones in the Chattanooga Sports community and her primary caregiver and special friend,  Esther Jeffries,  East Ridge, TN.

Services will be held Tuesday, September 18 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Bill Owens officiating.  Burial will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park with Curtis Ottinger, Tom Taylor, Chuck Lowe, Henri Tenthroy, Terry Irish, and Dennis Irish serving as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be made to GraceWorks Church, 6445 Lee Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences and view the memorial tribute.

The family will receive friends Monday from 4-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.