Betty Lou Melcher's Obituary
MELCHER (Hankey), Betty Lou.
80, of Spring Hill, Florida passed September 19, 2021
Betty was born January 5th, 1941, in St. Petersburg, FL to Robert “Bob” Okom Hankey Sr. and Vivian LaVerne Fussell.
She attended Lealman Elementary, Lealman Jr. High and graduated from Northeast High School class of 1958 and participated in the Civinettes, Usherettes, and International Sports clubs.
After graduating, she married David Lee Melcher, Sr on September 23, 1958. They lived and raised their three boys (David Jr, John, and Charles) in Pinellas Park up until 1980 at which time they moved to Largo, FL. Betty and Dave enjoyed riding motorcycles, boating, and taking trips with their kids and grandkids. Disney World and other Florida theme parks were frequently visited.
She worked at several diners and cafeterias with her best friend Carol Lahue. Around the late 70’s she worked at Endeavour Yacht in Largo doing teak wood finishing on sailboats. In the mid 70’s they hand built a 2-bedroom cabin on their land in Pasco county to be a weekend escape. Many weekends were spent at the cabin homestead riding dirt bikes, dune buggies, gardening, and enjoying bon fires with family. A few years later, she and David started their own mobile yacht repair business called The Final Touch Seaside Yacht Service. Due to the effects of the 1980s recession, they closed the business and Betty started working in the bakery at Albertson’s grocery store in Largo. She loved baking and decorating cakes. In 2000 they moved to their Spring Hill homestead in Pasco County, and she transferred to Albertson’s on Little Road. They both had a love for animals especially dogs of the Boston Terrier breed as Betty’s parents had several Boston’s as pets throughout their lives. During their retirement, Betty and her husband started Just Boston’s, an AKC breeder of Boston Terriers. Over the years, they made many families happy with the perfect puppy.
She is survived by her sister Sandra Rollo (Hankey), brother Robert “Bobby” O. Hankey Jr.;sons, David Melcher Jr., John Melcher, Charles “Chuck” (Dianne) Melcher; grandchildren Diana Melcher, Raymond Melcher, Crysta Melcher, Shawna Melcher, Anthony Melcher, and Gracelynn “Gracie” Melcher; great-grandchildren Brenden Burrows, Christianna Ybarzabal, and Julianna Ybarzabal; nephews Ron (Michelle) Rollo, Michael Rollo; nieces Bobbi (Steven) Barreira, Sandi Dee (Nick) Maiden.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Vivian Hankey, her husband David Lee Melcher, Sr., a grandchild Anthony James Melcher, and a great-grandchild Cameron Shawn Melcher Liebgold.
"Always in our hearts"
Service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5750 49th St N, St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
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