Obituary of Bette Kovac

Bette Ada Hutchison Kovac, 90, of Short Street, Morgantown, passed away after an extended illness Thursday, June17, 2010, at her home. She was born February 4, 1920, in Morgantown, a daughter of the late Harry Greer and Leeta Fern Wilson Hutchison. She attended the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church and was a Gold Star Mother. Bette graduated from Morgantown High School with the class of 1937. As a young woman she was active in the Salvation Army. Bette attended Morgantown Business College, and worked at McCroryâs on High Street. Friends introduced Bette to Frank, her future husband, at a church âtent meeting.â After their courtship, they were married in Pennsylvania on November 22, 1941. They lived for a time in a coal camp near where Frank worked in the coal mine. During WW II Frank served in the United States Army in the South Pacific, and Bette returned to Morgantown, where she worked at the Morgantown Glass Factory, polishing glass. After the war, they bought their first home on Beech Street in Marilla, and as their family increased in number they moved to Wiles Hill in 1955. Betteâs hands were never idle as the mother of nine children. In addition to caring for her family, she earned extra income laundering and ironing lab coats for doctors studying at the West Virginia University Medical Center. Later in life she babysat grandchildren who brought her much joy. She also took up bowling, much to the amusement of her husband and children. Bette had a special place in her heart for children, elderly, and anyone with special needs. She and her husband put their Christian faith to work in practical ways by service to others. Most people never knew the kindnesses extended to others by this generous couple. She liked to laugh and have fun, and her smile came readily. She also enjoyed flower gardening and entertaining. After Bette became ill, her daughter, Lois returned to Morgantown from McLean, VA, to take care of both her father and mother. Prior to her passing, Bette had been chronically ill for 11 years. In addition to her parents, Bette was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Frank Joseph Kovac, who lovingly cared for her during her illness until his death in 2005 sons David A. Kovac, who died in DaNang, Vietnam, Louis P. Kovac who died in infancy in 1944 daughter Peggy (Margaret) Kovac who passed away in 2008. She is survived by sons Frank J. Kovac, Morgantown, Stephen L. and Nancy Kovac, Morgantown, James R. and Carolyn Kovac, Ohio daughters Mary F. and David Minnis, Maryland, Lois A. Kovac, Morgantown, Deborah K. and Jay Rector, Elkins, and Janice Kovac, Morgantown, ten grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown on Thursday, June 24 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church on Friday, June 25 from 10-11a.m. Funeral services will be held in the church at 11:00a.m.with Rev. Douglas Miller officiating. Burial will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.Donations may be made in Betteâs memory to the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, 308 Elmhurst Street, Morgantown, WV 26505.