Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Cole Wagner

Betty’s life was centered on her love of God, her family and service. Her motive for each day was how she could cheer someone up; teach someone how to do something – like reading; or do acts of kindness.

Betty was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. to Edward Bass Cole and Elizabeth Redford Cole who both preceded her in death.

Betty attended Stetson University in Deland where she met her husband Paul (Skip). Both of them graduated and moved to Orlando where Skip worked for IBM. Betty and Skip celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in June.

After three daughters were born to Betty and Skip, Betty was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1978. Betty went through treatment which resulted in remission. In 2004 the cancer came back and she again underwent a number of treatments and surgeries.

Betty taught part time in the Orange County Public Schools at Shenandoah Elementary in the Conway area. Her part time job became a full time vocation and she led the third-grade team at Shenandoah for years. She was selected her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2000.

Betty served at her church as president of United Methodist Women, as a Sunday School teacher, led Bible School, worked as a trustee, as a Stephen minister and Stephen Minister leader, as a youth worker, a Senior Friends Club leader, on the staff/parish relations committee and recently as a member of the building committee. She was a member of the McRae Sunday School class.

Betty also served as both Lay Director and Lay Leader of the Aldersgate Walk to Emmaus and the Aldersgate Chrysalis in Florida and was recognized as winner of the1992 Denman Award for Evangelism by the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Additionally she volunteered as a teacher in Orange County’s Adult Literacy League. She worked for many years as the treasurer of her Zeta Tau Alpha sorority alumnae association and as treasurer of the Shenandoah Park Residents Association.

After God, Betty’s love was always for her family of husband Skip and three daughters. Meredith married Andy Tegethoff, Alison married Roy Asbury, and, Katharine married Ryan Baker. Betty has six grandchildren, Henry and Sam Tegethoff, Grace and Jonathan Asbury, and Evan and Lila Baker.

Betty is also survived by sisters Nancy Thompson and Fran Allbright along with their husbands, children, and grandchildren

A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held at 10am on November 19 at First United Methodist Church of Orlando. In lieu of flowers, Betty’s family asks that contributions in her honor be made to IDignity at 424 E. Central Blvd #199, Orlando FL 32801 or Senior Friends at 1st United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 E. Jackson St. Orlando, FL 32801.

Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home is handling arrangements.