Bettie Graham Keating

1928 - 2016

One of the great ones is gone.

Bettie Graham Keating – aka "Mom" or "Baba" – passed peacefully away Nov. 2, surrounded by her family. She fought a short, vicious battle with lung cancer, complicated by a long bout with COPD. She was gracious, patient and elegant to the end.

Born in Troy, Alabama, on the last day of January, 1928, she moved to Daytona Beach in 1936 with her mother, Wilma. Interestingly, they stayed a night at the Plaza Hotel at the west end of the Bridge of Lions during their journey to Daytona Beach. Living oceanfront for many years in Ormond Beach with her mother, she met and eventually married William Bourke Cochran Keating Jr. at the tender age of 17. William, "Sonny" to his family and close friends, was 18. Together, they began a family, eventually having five children. Fearing that Daytona Beach was growing too rapidly, Sonny and Bettie moved to St. Augustine in 1954. Beginning on Rabbit Hill on State Road 16, the family grew and moved to Anastasia Island, buying a home behind the Alligator Farm in Highland Manor in 1961.

Her children grew and left home for lives of their own, and Bettie transitioned from homemaking into a career in education administration at R.B. Hunt Elementary, located nearby. She was an integral part of the daily workings of the school for many years. She pursued this path until the unfortunate passing of her husband Sonny in 1981. After grieving for a time, she blossomed into an independent lifestyle, marked by ocean cruising, southern cooking, intricate gourd carving, and oil and watercolor painting. All the while, she was noteworthy in her ceaseless support and love of her children … then her grandchildren … then her great-grandchildren.

Her life was marked by her undying love for Sonny and her unparalleled way of making her children feel that each was unique and important.

She is survived by a large, close-knit family. Her eldest son William Bourke Cochran Keating III is married to Kari Hall Keating. Cochran has four children and has four grandchildren. Her daughter Kimberly Elaine Corsmeier is wed to Phil Corsmeier and they have a son. Her son Craig Adair Keating has a son. Her son Michael Graham Keating is married to Patti Keating. Mike and Patti have a son and a daughter and a total of five grandchildren. Her son Christopher Cairns Keating ("Kit") is married to Kate Keating, and they have a son. Each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren carries an indelible piece of "Baba" with them.

Bettie has asked that no formal ceremony be held, as this practice did not suit her independent ways. She has also asked that any memorial donations in her name be directed to the St. Johns County Chapter of the Audubon Society. Donate online at stjohnsaudubon.com, or contact Jean Rolke at 504-1240, or make checks to: St. Johns County Audubon, P.O. Box 600634, Jacksonville, FL 32260.

We miss you. Thanks for everything, Mom.