Family, friends and colleagues of Coronation Street star Betty Driver gathered in Manchester today for her funeral.. "A very, very wonderful human being from which we can all learn and we are all better for having known her.". All Rights Reserved. "To hear that beautiful voice epitomised what a beautiful person she was. The Rev Nigel Ashworth presided over the uplifting service, along with the Rev Lister Tonge - one of Driver's friends. © 2021 Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes. Betty Driver's funeral took place in St. Ann's Church in Manchester this morning. ', 'No, you can't' came the reply, 'not the knee, but you can give me a kiss'. In Tallahassee, she was a docent for the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Charles Cowling 0 Comments Like. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Follow. She said that Driver - who had appeared in 2,800 episodes - had wanted her funeral to be on a Saturday so "that all at Granada were to free to share her life, to remember her and to say goodbye to our dearest Betty". Born in Waycross, GA, she was the daughter of the late Spencer Melvin Grover and Pauline Bennett Meeks Grover. Obituaries & death notices around the UK. Who's behind the recent killings in Iraq? "She would not quite know how to take it. A recording of Driver singing The World Will Sing Again which she sang in Europe and the Middle East during the war was played to the congregation. 9 years ago | 1.1K views. ", He said they left the young men doing high-fives, calling their friends saying: "I've just met Betty Driver! Her loved ones are composing her obituary, which you will be able to read here. Your email will not be used for any other purpose. The funeral service will be on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown, Greenville, SC. Betty Driver Peeler, a Huntsville fixture for six decades, joyfully completed her earthly race on Sunday, February 26, surrounded by her four daughters and other beloved family. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Hundreds of friends, colleagues and members of the public have attended Betty Driver's funeral at St Ann's church in Manchester. Mrs. Driver enjoyed travel, entertaining, flower arranging, and … Search by name or location to find online obituaries A memorial service will also be held at a later date at Cascades Verdae, Greenville, SC. You should be able to view it in Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer. In the way she wanted us to do with a smile, remembering her infectious laugh, her perfume which announced her arrival, her love of life and everyone in it and celebrate with joy the glorious 91 years of Betty Driver.". ", "How do we say goodbye to her? Family, friends, colleagues and fans of Coronation Street star Betty Driver have turned out for her funeral in Manchester. Betty Driver Funkhouser, 80, of Broadway, died March 7, 2020, at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg. To send flowers to Betty's family, please visit our floral store. Read about our approach to external linking. She was born April 26, 1933 in Montgomery, the daughter of … "These lads, the hoods came off, the chewing stopped... it was just, I cannot begin to tell you, pure pure magic. Read about our approach to external linking. By ten, she appeared on the BBC, and toured by age twelve. It was followed by a standing ovation. DRIVER, JOANDRIVER, JOAN PARKER, (81), of Montgomery, passed away Monday, March 2, 2015, at her residence. She was also predeceased by two siblings Harold Driver and Ferne Helen Worth, Gail McIntyre in the soap, told the congregation: "The Rovers will not be the same without her. Ms Worth added the service was "just perfect" because it was a celebration of her life. Coronation Street's great and good gathered together for Betty Driver's funeral yesterday (22.10.11). Musical theatre was soon followed by film, and her first role was in *Penny Paradise (1938) as a co-star at age 18. Funeral Home website by. Tributes at funeral of Corrie's Betty Jump to media player Family, friends, colleagues and fans of Coronation Street star Betty Driver have turned out for her funeral in Manchester. Report. She was always active in church as a Sunday school teacher and choir member. World War II changed her path. Her personal assistant Charles Orr told the congregation he had been with Driver a few weeks ago when they came across "a gang of hoodies". The popular actress, who played Rovers Return barmaid Betty … A memorial service for Betty Driver. The bloc's health commissioner says the company is wrong to claim its contract with the EU is non-binding. The Funeral of Coronation Street Star Betty Driver - YouTube A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, respecting, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. She was born July 22, 1939 in Rockingham County and was a daughter of the late Roller Wilbert and Ressie Wood Driver. She was also predeceased by two siblings, Harold Driver and Ferne Driver Gapcynski. She was a really shy lady.". https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/betty-driver-dies-coronation-street-274948 Betty Meeks Driver, 87, wife of the late Earnest Carl Driver, died Monday, December 7, 2020 at Cascades Verdae, Greenville, SC. Kenwright said he had received letters from all over the world saying "'I am so sorry about your mother". Funeral of Betty Driver. [86206221-en] We are preparing more information. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughter, Carlyle Bailey; and son-in-law, Con Smith "Trey" Massey III. Speaking after the service, William Roache - who plays Ken Barlow - said: "She was there. Those at the Street were her family and a trip to the canteen with Betty always took a very long time, she said. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Betty Driver of Greenville, South Carolina, who passed away on December 7, 2020, at the age of 87, leaving to mourn family and friends. Betty Meeks Driver, 87, wife of the late Earnest Carl Driver, died Monday, December 7, 2020 at Cascades Verdae, Greenville, SC. Family, friends, colleagues and fans of Coronation Street star https://www.dengelmortuary.com/obituaries/Betty-J-Driver?obId=3918616 Betty Driver Funkhouser, 80, of Broadway, died March 7, 2020 at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg. You could feel her presence. Corrie Stars And Fans Pay Respects To Betty Driver - YouTube 1:50. [more about funeral] Final resting place of Betty Driver will come soon Many members of the public came to view the funeral … Betty was a member of DAR. She said Driver was the "ultimate professional" and "knew everything there was to showbusiness". "I think there will be a send off to her on the Street in a couple of months' time," she said. Hundreds of friends and colleagues of Coronation Street star Betty Driver have gathered with her family for her funeral in Manchester. "I always knew a hug was guaranteed and her last words to me when she was so ill, and it was such an effort for her to speak, were: 'I want you to be happy'. The coffin of Coronation Street actress Betty Driver is carried into St. Ann's Church for her funeral on October 22, 2011 in Manchester, England. She is survived by daughter, Kelly Driver Koch and her husband, David; six granddaughters, Sarah Cutchin, Anna Garber, Clara Powers, Morgan Ford, Brynn Aylward, and Chandler Massey; five great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; sister, Barbara Patrick; and son-in-law, Daniel Bailey. Your browser does not support this video format. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to International Seafarer's Ministry, 1180 S America Way, Miami, FL 33132 or to Wren Hospice, 955 W Wade Hampton Blvd Ste 3A, Greer, SC 29650. Please accept Echovita’s sincere condolences. Video. Her place behind the bar at the Rovers was always kept open.". © 2021 BBC. Born in Waycross, GA, she was the daughter of the late Spencer Melvin Grover and Pauline Bennett Meeks Grover. Ms Worth added: "She never wanted it to end. Obituary. Betty Driver of Greenville, South Carolina passed away on Dec 7, 2020. Betty Driver Funkhouser was born on Saturday, July 22, 1939 and passed away on Saturday, March 07, 2020. "And to hear her sing - people don't realise, this generation, and why should they, in the 50s and 40s she had such a beautiful voice. Ms Worth said it was 37 years since "my dearest Betty" first called her "her child". Betty Driver Obituary. Ken Morley attends the funeral of 'Coronation Street' actress Betty Driver at St. Ann's Church on October 22, 2011 in Manchester, England. "In fact, you know, Betty just wanted the whole world to be happy.". VideoWho's behind the recent killings in Iraq? There will be a graveside service on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery, Cairo, GA under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, www.clarkfuneral.com. He said Driver - who was made an MBE in 1999 - would have been thrilled with the service. ODN. Browse more videos. View Original Notice → Betty Driver. It was also her idea to screen the service in St Ann's Square for fans. She went on to become the "bedrock" of Coronation Street, he said. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com. Betty Graham Driver, daughter of Leslie and Sarah Driver, was born in Johnson City, Tennessee and … Coronation Street legend Betty Driver's funeral will take place on Saturday, it has been announced.. EU demands UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine doses1, Travellers must prove journey is essential - Patel2, Gymnast's 'black excellence' routine goes viral3, Boy sentenced for racist coronavirus street attack4, Juno actor Elliot Page to divorce Emma Portner5, Biden to halt new drilling on federal lands6, Why convicting Trump just got a lot harder7, Boeing 737 Max cleared to fly in Europe after crashes8, 'Failing' firm soars in value as amateurs buy stock9, Which UK arrivals have to quarantine in a hotel?10. Coronation Street stars have gathered in Manchester to say farewell to their much-loved colleague Betty Driver, who died a week ago. She had previously appeared as Mrs Edgley in Coronation Street spin-off Pardon the Expression (1965-1966) opposite Arthur Lowe. It was a title she had kept happily ever since, she said. Information about the funeral process. There was a marching band through the streets and in St. Ann's Square, a large video screen was in place so the general public could hear the service. Wigan data shows extent of Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in borough, Lisa Nandy MP optimistic as 'credible' bidders for Wigan Athletic come forward, Bolton celebs among many to have received Covid jab, 'Peak of pressure on hospital system' during covid crisis may arrive this weekend, metro mayor warns, Man arrested and large quantity of cannabis recovered in Wigan, Emergency services scrambled after man 'spotted abseiling from a bridge', Information about BBC links to other news sites, EU demands UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine doses. What happens to your body in extreme heat? Biden to halt new drilling on federal lands, Boeing 737 Max cleared to fly in Europe after crashes, Why convicting Trump just got a lot harder, When your 'pandemic puppy' doesn't work out, Dave Grohl: 'I dreamt I was shot in the back', The comic in jail for jokes he didn't crack, A raccoon, pony and other White House pets. Betty Driver funeral . BETTY DRIVER: Tribute to Coronation Street's barmaid. Cast and crew members past and present attended the funeral as did Coronation Street creator, Tony Warren. Here is Betty Driver’s obituary. Driver had planned the service, choosing the music and the flowers. "Then came the mobile phones to take photographs and we had to get the pen to sign the foreheads. She was the Rovers Return's longest serving barmaid and was famous for her homemade hot-pots. Betty Meeks Driver, 87, wife of the late Earnest Carl Driver, died Monday, December 7, 2020 at Cascades Verdae, Greenville, SC. ODN. Image: #129960472: Caption: MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 22: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Sarah Lancashire (L) and Peter Salmon attend the funeral of 'Coronation Street' actress Betty Driver at St. Ann's Church on October 22, 2011 in Manchester, England. Mrs. Driver enjoyed travel, entertaining, flower arranging, and playing bridge. A child singing sensation who became a soap star, Betty Driver took to the stage at the age of eight. Guests are asked to please follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and a mask is required. She was born July 22, 1939, in Rockingham County and was a daughter of the late Roller Wilbert and Ressie Wood Driver. 'Can I sit on your knee? Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Bill Kenwright who played Betty's screen son Gordon spoke of his "second mother". 22 October 2011 . 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