Bette Brackenridge Groat

Bette Brackenridge Groat, loving wife and mother, died Friday December 21, 2018. Born in Douglas, Michigan, she graduated from Saugatuck High School as valedictorian in 1964 and initially attended Ferris State College where she majored in Industrial Chemistry. She subsequently attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas and graduated with a degree in occupational therapy. In 1977, thanks to a blind date setup by Tom and Betty Denton, she met her husband John Groat at an Auburn game and was smitten. With Auburn. She liked John too, enough to marry him in 1977 and a short time later gave birth to Sharon and Shawn. She began her occupational therapy career initially at Cleveland General Hospital, and then at Emory University in the occupational therapy department. She joined the occupational therapy faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for several years, and in 1988, she accepted a position at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to start a new occupational therapy department. She spent the majority of her career there, teaching students and mentoring faculty, and had an enormous impact on occupational therapy for the state of Mississippi. She loved to quilt and crochet, with many a friend and family member the recipient of blankets, quilts, sweaters, hats, and gloves. She was a fabulous cook, and her home was always open to all. Friends were family, and her house was filled with family. She loved to travel, loved pets, and loved life. She is survived by her husband, John Groat; daughter, Sharon Pennington and son-in-law, Ronnie Pennington; son, Shawn Groat; grandchildren Morgan and Aidan Pennington; brother, Bill Brackenridge and sister-in-law, Beth Brackenridge; brother, Bob Brackenridge and sister-in-law Sue Brackenridge; numerous nieces and nephews, and her two cats Aubie and Bic. She would want us to sing and dance, even in the midst of grief. Visitation will be Friday, December 28, 2018, from noon until 2:00 pm at Wilson Funeral Home in Fort Payne, Alabama. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM with graveside service for the family following. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to support a scholarship named in her honor for occupational therapy students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and may be sent to 124 Ridgetop Circle, Flowood, MS 39232.

Bette Brackenridge Groat

November 14, 1946 - December 21, 2018