Betty Jo (Bearden) Williams

Betty was two years old when her dad moved to South Florida for work. Going first to LaBelle, then to Lake Harbor where she went to first grade. For the next four years it was South Bay and finally to Belle Glade where her dad got his own grocery store. 

She grew up in Belle Glade and graduated from Belle Glade High School in 1951. She was a good student and always believed in education... especially reading. She loved Spanish, the arts and music. She was a great dancer. Was a cheer leader for four years and cheered for her future husband Thomas Williams. For her graduation gift her dad gave her a week’s visit to Cuba accompanied by her Spanish teacher. She loved Cuba and the trip really gave her a life time thrill. 

After graduation she and Thomas were married in June of 1952 while he was home from Naval Boot Camp. They lived the next four years in Jacksonville where Thomas had his home base. While Thomas was overseas she lived with his parents in South Bay. Their son Thomas, Jr. was born at Morrison Field Air Base in West Palm Beach in May of 1953.

After the Navy she and Thomas returned to South Bay where he got a job with the Postal Service and she went to work as a Library Clerk  at Belle Glade Elementary. She later transferred to Belle Glade High and stayed there until she retired after 21 years if service.  At the age of fifty she went to Palm Beach Jr. College and got a two year degree. She was very proud of that!!! She loved the fall colors and the mountains. Her favorite flower was the Gardenia. 

In 2000 she and Thomas moved to Dunnellon to be near family. For the next twenty years she and Thomas enjoyed the family. Her death came, Oct. 20 of this year, after two plus years of dementia. 

She was proceeded in death by her parents and brother Bill.  Jo, as Thomas called her, is survived by Thomas, Sr., her loving husband of 68 years. Her son, Thomas, Jr., and his wonderful wife Terri, Granddaughter Jennifer and her husband Kyle, Grandson Scott and his wife Zera, Grandson Jake and his wife Amy,  and six Great Grands!!!

The family request no flowers. A donation to Hospice of Marion County or the charity of your choice, if so desired, will be appreciated.

Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon made all arrangements for which the family is very grateful.

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