Betty Crigger Burt

Sara Betty Crigger Burt, known to all as Sadie B., passed away peacefully at her home on April 15, 2025 at the age of 94. And how she lived those 94 years! She was born in Munford, Tennessee, the daughter of Dr. John Marion and Patsy Johnson Crigger. After living in Tampa for more than seven decades, she was still a Tennessean at heart. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, where she was a cheerleader in 1951 and 1952. She remained a true Vols fan (while loathing the Florida Gators) until she died, often sporting her orange and white UT sneakers, even to her granddaughter’s wedding reception.

Sadie B. was always making something. Many of her children’s friends sent wedding invitations addressed in her exquisite calligraphy, still sleep under afghans she knitted, and drank gallons of her Brandy Bubbles. Her Christmas stockings grace numerous mantels and socks, sweaters, and scarves warm her loved ones. Her library boasts more than 1,000 cookbooks and experimenting with new recipes was a passion. Her son Jim and his family, next door neighbors for more than 30 years, often enjoyed her culinary creations.

A voracious reader and lover of history, Sadie B. was an unofficial WWII scholar — she could have cracked the codes herself. A former KA Rose, she was as comfortable playing beer pong with her grandson and his fellow KAs as she was fly fishing in Montana or attending the Vienna New Year’s Eve Concert with an Austrian baron. She served at the Faith Cafe and volunteered at Tampa General Hospital for more than 30 years. But perhaps Sadie B. was best known as the matron of her home, Club Burt, where food, drink, and hospitality overflowed. Everyone was welcome — day, night, or early morning. It was not unusual for her to wake up and find a child’s friend on the couch and proceed to cook them a healthy breakfast. Her children’s friends delighted her.

She faithfully attended Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years, devoting her time and talent volunteering.

Her family is forever grateful to those who cared for her these past three and a half years. She lit up each time these angels came through the door: Kim Branagan (aka the Sadie B. whisperer) kept her both moving and laughing, and her caregivers, Jodeline Belval and Mildred Lynn, loved her deeply. Their constant care ensured that Sadie B. was able to continue living in her home.

While she is holding court on another shore, Sadie B. is survived and will be dearly missed by her children Deborah Anne Cone (Douglas, Jr.), Jim Burt II (Caroline), Tricia Rose Burt Masterson (Eric); her grandchildren Sadie Cone Fitzpatrick (Brian); Douglas Cone III (Sarah), William Cone, Taylor Burt (Jessica), Reid Burt (Cristina), Grant Burt (Berkeley); and her great-grandchildren Charlie, Annie, and Lucy Fitzpatrick and Cami Burt. There will be a private family ceremony held April 30 at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church followed by The Official Closing of Club Burt at The Tampa Museum of Art at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to her beloved Tampa General Hospital or Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.