Former BJ publisher Bill Ott’s widow dies

Elizabeth Manning (Bettie) Ott

Bettie Ott

1924 - 2014

Elizabeth (Bettie) Manning Ott, 89, Macon, Georgia, passed away September 7, 2014, following an extended illness.

Born September 14, 1924, in Moultrie, Georgia, she was the only daughter of Nora Gibbs Manning and Ambrose Haulsey Manning. Bettie was preceded in death by her husband William Anthony Ott, Sr., former Publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal, her son, Robert Haulsey Ott and her granddaughter, Mary Frances Ott.

She will be deeply missed by her loving family, including children, William Anthony Ott, Jr. (former spouse Mary Kay Bryan) of Macon, Georgia, J. Warren Ott (Claire) of Atlanta, John Manning Ott (Lisa) of Monroe, Georgia, Joseph Henderson Ott (former spouse Wendy Keith-Ott) of Decatur, Georgia, Bettie Ott Negley (Cary) of Savannah, and Carolyn Ott Curran (Bill) of Penfield, N.Y. Bettie leaves behind 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Bettie graduated from Agnes Scott College with a double major in math and physics. She and her future husband, Bill Ott, fell in love when they both worked at their hometown newspaper, The Moultrie Observer. She and Bill married on June 9, 1951, and lived in several areas of the United States as they raised their family and followed Bill's promotions with Knight-Ridder Newspapers.

Bettie cherished her seven children and their families. As a generous member of numerous boards and philanthropic organizations during her life, she had a positive impact in every community she was a part of. She enjoyed traveling, genealogy, reading, journaling, and walking.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 14th, 3 p.m. at Vineville United Methodist Church, Macon Georgia. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. at Vineville UMC on that day. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the charity of your choice.

Register online at www.hartsmort.com

Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 10, 2014