Betty Bishop Elliott passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017. She was the daughter of James Barco Bishop and Gladys Haggard Bishop. Her father, a distinguished Miami merchant and civic leader, was a fourth generation Floridian, charter member of the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables and an original founding member of the Riviera Country Club of Coral Gables. He established Bishop’s Men’s Wear in the DuPont Building in 1939 in downtown Miami and was the sole proprietor until his death in 1959. Her mother, Gladys Haggard Bishop, served as a prominent civic and community leader in Greater Miami and Dade County for over 60 years. Gladys Bishop held an impressive number of key positions in civic, community and historical organizations in her lifetime. She passed away in 1998.

Betty Elliott’s grandfather, Dr. William Andrew Haggard, was a prominent physician and surgeon in early Miami, and her grandmother, Estelle Avinger Haggard, was a Past President General of the National Association of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and an active member of many historical organizations.

Mrs. Elliott was born in Miami, Florida, on December 22, 1931, and resided in Miami and Coral Gables her entire life. She attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and graduated from the University of Miami School of Business in 1953 where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority as well as other organizations on the campus.

She met and married S. Dean Davidson in 1954. They had one son, Barco Dean Davidson. They were divorced in 1976.

Years later, she met Donald L. Elliott, a Miami insurance executive and, owner of Elliott & McKeiver General Insurance Agency. Betty and Don were married in 1996.

Mrs. Elliott held leadership positions in civic and community organizations in her lifetime. She served on the board of the Junior League of Miami, Beaux Arts of the University of Miami Lowe Art Museum, Museum of Science Guild, P.E.O. Sisterhood and as a member of the First Methodist Church of Coral Gables for 68 years participating in various church activities throughout the years. She was also a member of the University of Miami Women’s Guild and Coral Gables Garden Club.

She held the position of Director of Volunteer Services at Jackson Memorial Hospital with 2,500 volunteers serving JMH. She first served as assistant director at JMH and later as director until her retirement in 1995. She received her certification as a Director of Volunteer Services from the State of Florida Association and was a participating member in the South Florida Council, the Florida and National Associations, attending numerous state and national conferences during her tenure as director of volunteers at JMH.

Her involvement with historical associations included United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of American Colonists, National Society of Magna Charta Dames and Colonial Dames XVII Century.

In addition to her son, Barco Dean Davidson (Marla), she is survived by 4 grandchildren, Justin Dean Davidson (Leah), Joseph Reid Davidson (Kirby), Stephanie Marie Rawlings (Michael) and Melinda Mary Davidson, and great-grandchildren Preston and Carter Davidson, Cohen and Asher Rawlings, all of Atlanta. She is also survived by William Andrew Haggard, cousin, of Coral Gables.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 1:30 pm in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, 536 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Florida. Prior to the memorial service, a private graveside service for the family will be held at Woodlawn Park Cemetery. Stanfill Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements. The family requests any donations be made in memory of Betty Bishop Elliott to the Bishop Local Evangelical Outreach Fund (25250-3), First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables.

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