Obituary
Dorothy Elizabeth Eidson passed away peacefully at her home on August 1, 2024. Known and loved by her family and friends as Betty, BB, Ricki, Sis, Nana and Mama Duma. She was born in Orlando on January 12, 1934 to John Thomas Branham and Dorothy Rogers Branham. She grew up in Orlando with her older brother Jack Branham, Jr. After graduating from Orlando High School, Betty attended Mary Baldwin College for Women and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Betty lived her life to the fullest whether at home or abroad. Her travel adventures took her around the world with her friends and family. An avid animal lover, she found a special bond with the African continent and visited 16 times. She became an advocate and supporter of cheetah conservation programs in South Africa and at the Central Florida Zoo, where she served on the board.
Betty entertained and comforted her wide circle of friends that she made through Pi Beta Phi, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, the Junior League of Greater Orlando, the Rosalind Club and Lake Highland Preparatory School, where she was the president’s administrative assistant. She was known for her daily walks around Lake Adair with her beloved standard poodles, Velvet and Maggie Mae, and for being a diehard Tar Heel basketball fan.
Above all, Betty adored her family. Her marriage to Ted Eidson spanned 63 amazing years together. She was as much a friend as a mother to her daughters, Mary Elizabeth Holler and Laura Cosgrove; her granddaughters, Sara Foss and Beth Jacobs; and her great granddaughter Caroline. Her smile lit up the room for her great grandsons Cal, James and Landon. She was dearly loved by her sons-in-law, Carlisle Holler and Mark Cosgrove; grandsons-in-law, David Jacobs and Jim Foss; and nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre https://dewildt.co.za/donate/ or the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens https://shop.centralfloridazoo.org/WebStore/shop/viewitems.aspx?cg=don&c=cfzbgdon would be greatly appreciated.
Keith & Lori Megginson