Mattie Elizabeth Hathcock Canaday

Betty Canaday whose given name was Mattie Elizabeth Hathcock Canaday went to rest with her Lord and Savior at her home on November 21, 2025 at the age of 95. Betty was born on April 16,1930 in Lake Wales, Florida where her family lived briefly before moving back to Georgia. Her family settled in Doerun, Georgia where they farmed the land, worshipped, helped and loved their neighbors. Betty graduated from high school at the age of 16 and went on to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, to pursue a teaching degree. Upon completion in 1948, she had the good fortune of accepting a teaching position in the tiny town of St. George. This decision to accept the position at the young age of 18 without knowing anyone there, set her on the path that would seal her future and create the life, marriage, family and community she dearly loved. Since it was war time, and teachers were desperately needed, Betty began teaching and continued her education during the summer at Georgia Teachers College (now Georgia Southern University) in Statesboro, Georgia to obtain her teaching certificate. Betty taught 3rd and 4th grade for two years before marrying her soulmate and love of her life, Doyle Franklin Canaday, on March 18, 1950. Once married, she joined Doyle and his parents in running the family business, Canaday’s Grocery. God blessed Doyle and Betty’s union with three children, Keith, Joan and Kay. Betty was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all she met. She worked hard alongside Doyle to make the family business a success. She was an excellent seamstress and cook and was known for helping many young brides with all their cooking questions. Also, many young mothers brought their babies to the store to “Miss” Betty for her advice when they were sick or to be weighed on the store scales. Betty loved the St. George community and supported the school, churches, and residents any time there was a need. Doyle and Betty built and moved into a new store next door to the original location in 1971. They continued to work side by side until retirement in 1990 when their son, Keith took over the store. Even though officially retired, they continued to work and support Keith for many, many years.Betty and Doyle faithfully attended Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Baker County, Florida for over 35 years until health prevented their attendance. Betty was predeceased by her parents James Larkin and Eula Johnson Hathcock, her sister Lucy Hathcock Jenkins, and her beloved grandson Whitney Eugene Davis.After 75 years of marriage, love and life together, Betty leaves to mourn her loss, her loving husband, Doyle Franklin Canaday. She was blessed with a large family and is survived by her three children: Keith (Kathy) Canaday, Joan (Jesse) Crews and Kay (Ronny) Davis; loving grandchildren John (Andrea) Canaday, Ansley (Jonathan) Hickox, Tye (Cristina) Crews, Becky Lynn (Matthew) Conner, Joalby Davis, Hayley (Ben) Gleaton, Colleen (Robert) Haddock and Spencer (Chelsea) Crews; and cherished great grandchildren Lucas, Kate, Colt and Blake Canaday, Madison, Camden and Harrison Hickox, Andrew and Anna Lucia Crews, Logan, Levi and Landree Conner, Mason Davis, Sam and Kate Gleaton, Ella and Maggie Haddock and Isaac Crews.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 25 at 3:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in St. George with Pastor Kyle Lloyd and Pastor Larry Finley officiating.  Burial will follow in Boones Creek Cemetery.  the family will greet friends at the church an hour prior to the service.

Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardrobersonfh.com.  Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Canaday family.