Elizabeth "Bette" Bean Hayes Maloney joined her beloved husband, William "Ned" Edward Maloney in heaven on July 18, 2026. Bette was the third child born to Edward Albert Hayes and Sara Lee Armstrong Hayes on January 31, 1930, in Augusta, Georgia. Bette spent her early childhood years in Augusta until her father's unexpected death. In 1939, Sara moved her family to Tampa, Florida.

As a child Betty Hayes decided to change the spelling of her name to Bette like the actress Bette Davis. Bette graduated from Plant High School and then enrolled at the University of Tampa where she graduated with a college degree, the first in her family, in Elementary Education. She was a Spartan cheerleader, acted in University of Tampa theatre groups, and was an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.

Bette met Ned at the University of Tampa, and they married on June 13, 1952. Over the years Bette, Ned, and their daughters Mary and Beth moved from Tampa to Overland Park, Kansas, to Stone Mountain, Georgia, to Orlando, Florida. Bette became a teacher in Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa upon graduation and her remarkable teaching career spanned 42 years, concluding at Dover Shores Elementary School in Orlando. In addition to inspiring thousands of students, she supervised scores of student teachers during their internships, completed her master's degree in education at Rollins College, became one of the first Teachers of the Gifted, and was a lifelong member of Alpha Delta Kappa Educational Sorority.

Bette loved projects and was an accomplished crafter, antique collector, and gardener; she loved animals and always had a cat or a dog (or both!). She loved watching her birds and playing games with people she met on her iPad. Above all, Bette loved her family fiercely and was delighted to have become a Great Grandmother to Heron, Vivian, and James.

The happiest day of her life was May 14, 2018, when she met - and kissed! - Justin Timberlake, which was followed by worldwide media coverage. During his concert, he gave "Nammie" a shout-out from the stage, calling her a "pretty little lady" and telling the crowd he loved her.

Bette is survived by her daughters Mary Maloney Brandenburg (Jim), Beth Maloney Watson; grandchildren Elizabeth "EB" Watson (Matt Anderson), William "Bud" Brandenburg (Lexi), and Sarah Watson Giguere (Zack); great-grandchildren Heron Glen Giguere, Vivian Hayes Brandenburg, and James Usher Brandenburg; niece Julie Hayes Scally (Kevin) and nephew William Tatgenhorst; her Utterback nieces and nephews and their families; her sweet kitty, Eddie; and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister and brother, Sara "Sally" Louise Hayes Tatgenhorst and Charles "Charlie" Birchard Hayes,

Bette's family is grateful for the loving, skilled, and patient care she has received from her companion caregivers in recent years, especially Darla, Ginger, Tonya, and Pauline.

Friends are invited to celebrate her life on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 4545 Anderson Rd, Orlando, FL 32812. Private burial will follow at the Florida National Cemetery. If desired, contributions in Bette's memory may be made to SavetheManatee.org