Bette Hemphill Tougas

Bette Hemphill Tougas passed away March 7, 2014. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. , Saturday, March 15th. Bette was born in Summerville, Georgia, the only child of Kate and Roy Hemphill. After finishing high school in Summerville, she enrolled in Florida State College for Women (FSCW), graduating in 1946. After graduation she moved to Philadelphia where she worked for the Atlantic Refining Company. Returning to Tallahassee in 1948, she worked for the Florida Industrial Commission, later on being transferred to the Perry office. She also worked for several years for a doctor in Perry. Bette was married to the love of her heart, Gil Tougas. She and he shared many happy times at their beach house at Dark Island in Taylor County. She had many fond memories of their children and grandchildren enjoying times there crabbing, fishing, scalloping, and sailing. She and Gil enjoyed many other activities together; they loved to travel and, at one time, owned a plane. Bette took flying lessons so she could land the plane, if necessary. Upon returning to Tallahassee in 1963 she spent her time doing volunteer work. She volunteered at the Tallahassee Museum, the Tallahassee Alzheimer’s Project and Big Bend Hospice. She was a member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church where she was in the choir for a number of years. She was active in the Koinonia Sunday school class. She loved her God, her family, and her friends. One of her greatest pleasures was to have family, friends, and strangers come to her house, “sit a spell” and eat a lot. She is survived by two daughters, Kay Kaldor (Michael) of Miami, Debra Tougas, of Tallahassee, three step children, Cynthia Breeden (Bill) of Virginia, Judy Leclere (Wayne) of Tallahassee, and Lee Tougas (Jane) of Ohio. She has ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved husband, Gil. For those wishing to make a contribution, please make them to Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1700 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee 32303 or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, 32308. Bevis Funeral Home, 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com, is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Bette Hemphill Tougas

January 11, 1926 - March 7, 2014