Betty Ruth Riden Gardin joined her beloved husband of 52 years, Franklin Delano Gardin in Heaven on August 5,2022 Betty Riden Gardin was born at home September 4, 1939 in McMinn County, Tennessee. She was a star basketball player at Etowah High School, lettering all four years. As a young girl she enjoyed writing short stories and poetry, reading, and spending time with her beloved grandmother Lizzie Riden. She often walked the dirt road to her grandmothers house to spend the night. Along that road, she imagined many of the characters that appeared in her stories. Once, she caught a groundhog with her bare hands and unable to let it go, she ran back home with it to her Daddy. At age 17, on a high school trip to Dobbins Airforce base in Georgia, she slipped into a recruiter tent to keep her snow cone from melting. There, she met a handsome young airman, Franklin Delano Gardin. It was love at first sight for both. They soon were married and living in Alaska. Twins Penny and Pam were born there. A transfer took them to Big Springs, Texas where Brett was born. When Frank was sent to Vietnam, Betty busied herself raising three children and attended nursing school at Cleveland State College in Tennessee. She graduated Cum Laude. Frank returned from Vietnam with orders to move to California. Betty started her nursing career at American River Hospital in Sacramento. The family settled in Douglasville, Georgia after a 22 year career in the Airforce. Frank sold cars while Betty worked at Cobb General Hospital, eventually serving as Coordinator of Nursing. Mom loved attending Atlanta Braves games. In preparation for retirement, the couple began construction of a home in Blue Ridge, Ga. They did most of the work themselves, and built a beautiful dream home with various garage/storage buildings, a picnic pavilion, and gardens. They loved entertaining children and grandchildren at memorable holiday events that included boating, hayrides, and amazing meals. Betty was a charter member and volunteer with Feed Fannin. For many years she planted and tended a row of potatoes in the community garden that went to the food pantry. She also loved volunteering at the Clothes Closet, and the Democratic Party annual yard sale. She was a member of Cherry Log Christian Church and loved every member of the congregation. Her passions were visiting with family, telling hilarious stories, reading Stephen King books, gardening, food preservation, cooking, watching sports, and having lunch at Petes Place with her numerous girlfriends. She was a consummate plotter of practical jokes. She had an eclectic taste in music ranging from Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Conway Twitty, Elvis, Queen, Temptations, Percy Sledge, and The Rolling Stones. Family frequently heard her yell "Turn that music up! Louder! LOUDER!" In addition to her husband Franklin Delano Gardin, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Newton Riden and Daisy Mildred Barker Riden, and siblings, Sibyl Riden Orr, Wade Riden, and Vicki Carol Riden Pritchett. She is survived by her children, Penny Gardin Lewis, (Dan) MyrtleBeach, SC, Pamela Gardin Gossett, Rome, GA, Brett Franklin Gardin, Blue Ridge, GA, and niece/daughter Sherry Clark Farmer Cleveland,TN Brothers: Dennis Riden (Jane), Rick Riden (June), and sisters: Linda Riden McNalley Hyde, and Karen Jo Riden Able (Jerry) Grandchildren: Jarrett Gossett (Amanda), Meagan Lewis Mapson (Jeff), Leslie Lewis Gradin (David), Jennifer Gossett Williams (Brent), Chris Lewis (Sarah), Rob Gardin (Stephanie), Rebecca Gossett (Trevor), and Madison Farmer Great Grandchildren: James Goble, Eleanor Gossett, Henry Gossett, Lincoln Williams, Ella Lewis Gradin, and Baby Mapson on the way. We will miss our mother, our Mammaw, our source for delicious Brandywine tomatoes, our basket of knowledge for all things Atlanta Braves, but mostly her laughter, her hugs, and her "let me refresh your memory" stories. Betty Gardin passed after a short illness during a road trip with daughter Pam to visit daughter Penny in Myrtle Beach. A friend wrote "To travel always means that, regardless of the fun and trials and scary curves, there is always an ending to the trip. Seems like your beautiful Moms last road trip took her straight to where she needed to besurrounded by each of youher legacies." Visitation will be on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations, 7871 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00 AM from Cherry Log Christian Church, 1149 Cherry Log Street, Cherry Log, GA 30522. Rev. Monica Ledford will officiate the services. Attendees are welcome to wear Atlanta Braves attire if they so wish. A Snow Cone Social will immediate follow the service in the parking lot of Cherry Log Christian Church. Graveside services will be Friday, August 12, 2022 at 4:00 PM from the Sunrise Memorial Gardens at 11261 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Douglasville, GA 30134. Rev. Monica Ledford will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Feed Fannin 762 Ada StBlue Ridge, GA 30513 Craddock Center186 Fred Craddock DrCherry Log, GA 30522 Cherry Log Christian Church Clothes ClosetP.O. Box 289Cherry Log, GA 30522 Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements. There are no gallery images. Visitation Thursday, August 11, 2022 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations - Blue Ridge 7871 Blue Ridge DriveBlue Ridge, Georgia 30513 Directions Funeral Service Friday, August 12, 2022 10:00 AM Cherry Log Christian Church 1149 Cherry Log StreetCherry Log, GA 30522 Directions Graveside Service Friday, August 12, 2022 4:00 PM Sunrise Memorial Gardens 11261 Veterans Memorial HwyDouglasville, GA 30134 Directions