Martha Elizabeth "Betsy" Groh

Martha Elizabeth "Betsy" Bender Salling Groh, aged 83, died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
A native of Chattanooga, Betsy graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1959 and Pulaski College in 1977. She began her career as a plumbing, fire protection, and medical gas engineer at a time when few women entered the field. Betsy designed systems for hospitals, newspaper production plants, radio and television studios, level one research labs, and industrial facilities across the United States. Her most notable projects included the Delta III rocket facility in Decatur, Alabama, Washington Hospital in Washington, DC, and a CDC research lab in Atlanta, Georgia. She was a member of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, National Fire Protection Association, American Water Works Association, United States Field Artillery Association, and Daughters of the American Revolution-Cherokee Chapter.
As an accomplished artist, cook, gardener, seamstress, and markswoman, Betsys talents were many. She found so much joy in sharing these gifts, especially her delicious baked treats. She also loved camping, entertaining, genealogy, and participating in living history events. Betsy will be remembered for her thoughtfulness and words of wisdom as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She was deeply attuned to others and always ready to offer support, a hug, or a helping hand.
Betsy is survived by a son, Jack Ronald Salling, Jr. (Lisa); a daughter, Margaret Salling McCue (Matt); three granddaughters, Claire Salling Clemens (Will), Meara McCue, and Avery McCue; and a great-grandson, Jack Clemens. Additionally, she is survived by a sister, Barbara Howard (Ed); a sister-in-law, Karen Bender Kirby (Paul); a longtime companion, Donald Butler; and cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. Betsy was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lee Bender, Sr.; her mother, Margaret Burnette Bender; a brother, Robert Lee Bender, Jr; and ex-husband, Jack Ronald Salling, Sr.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:30 PM Saturday, May 24th at Lane Funeral Home-Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415. A 2:00 PM graveside service will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery Pavilion, 1954 Greenwood Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37406. Donations in Betsys memory may be directed to an organization dear to her heart, Friends of Kennesaw Mountain at https://friendsofkmnbp.org/giving-membership/donate/