BETTYE ALDERMAN, WIFE OF RETIRED CHIEF ROMULOUS ALDERMAN F6, AND MOTHER OF CAPTAIN KEN ALDERMAN R57-B SHIFT, PASSED AWAY ON WEDNESDAY , SEPTEMPER 1, 2010.

VIEWING AND VISITATION WITH THE FAMILY WILL BE ON MONDAY SEPT 6TH, 2010 FROM 1700-1900 AT HARDAGE GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME 5753 BLANDING BLVD.

LIFE CELEBRATION MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, SEPT 7TH, AT 1000, AT THE MURRAY HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 940 TALBOT AVE. JACKSONVILLE, FL. 32205.

BURIAL TO FOLLOW AT JACKSONVILLE MEMORY GARDENS,
111 BLANDING BLVD., ORANGE PARK, FL. 32073.

ALDERMAN Bettye Jo Simmons Alderman, age 81, died Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Bettye was born on December 22, 1928, in Chattanooga TN, to Marion Lucille Callicott Simmons and Clifford Hatchet Simmons, both deceased. She graduated from Chattanooga City High School in 1946 and attended University of Chattanooga. Bettye transferred to Jacksonville with Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1949 and retired in 1956 as a commercial office supervisor to become a full time mother and homemaker. Bettye married Jacksonville firefighter, Romulous Ellis Alderman, Jr., on January 29, 1953, in South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church. While a stay-at-home Mom, Bettye worked to glorify God as a member of Murray Hill Presbyterian Church where she served our Lord for over 55 years and was elected Elder Emeritus, after working as an Elder, trustee, church school superintendent, teacher of children and adults, bell choir ringer, finance and stewardship chairman. She served as Moderator of Presbyterian Women, who awarded her an Honorary Life Membership. The Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Firemen (FOOF), where her husband served as president, received over thirty-five years of her volunteer work on behalf of firefighters and their families. She helped Rom with the farming chores, baling hay, raising their own beef, fruit and vegetables. Bettye is survived by her husband, Rom, and their three children and six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; Mary Lucille Alderman Rausch, Ed.D, of Chattanooga, TN, and her two daughters, Ellisa Anne Rausch, MD, Memphis, TN, and Christen Elaine Rausch Hill, her husband, Samuel Joseph Hill, and their two sons Canaan Edwards Hill, and Marcus Calvin Hill, Athens, GA; Romulous Ellis Alderman, III, and his wife Mary Godwin Alderman, MD, and their son Thomas Ellis Alderman and daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Alderman, Jacksonville; and Kenneth Irvin Alderman, his wife Heather Lea Mathews Alderman, and their two sons, Matthew Paul Alderman, and Daniel James Alderman, Jacksonville. Other survivors are a sister-in-law, Edwina Alderman Pace, Flat Rock, NC, two nieces and six nephews. In addition to her parents, Bettye was preceded in death by her grandson William Godwin Alderman in 2001, sister Janella Simmons Tubb, in 2000, sister Elaine Simmons Martin Tiller in 1994, and brother Clifford Hatchett Simmons, Jr. in 1959. Her husband and family wish to express gratitude to the supportive and professional CCU team at St. Vincent's Hospital for providing two weeks of extraordinary care for Bettye. Special thanks to Alma, Bre, Catherine, Deanna, Kim, Melissa, Renee, Ronda, Robin, Terry and Tina as well as Dr. Shaalon's faithful care throughout her stay and Dr. Szwed's compassionate expertise during her last week. The entire CCU staff worked tirelessly to minister not only to Bettye, but also to her family. A celebration of Bettye's life will be at Murray Hill Presbyterian Church, 940 Talbot Avenue, on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 10:00 am with Pastor Drew Marshall and Rev. Clyde Ray officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home on Monday, September 6, 2010 from 5-7 pm. Burial will be in Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Orange Park. A memorial is suggested to The Jacksonville School for Children with Autism, (JSCA), 400 Spring Park Road, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 5753 Blanding Blvd., 904-777-5727.