Betty Jean Arrant

Betty Jean Jeffers Arrant, "Betty", age 64, entered eternal rest on Friday, August 15, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida surrounded by family.

Betty was born in Crestview, Florida, July 29, 1961, to Walter Lexie Jeffers Sr. and Syble Ann Strickland Jeffers. She graduated from Pace High School, Pace, Florida. She was a lifelong resident of the Pace and Pensacola area after moving from South Carolina with her family in the early seventies.

First and most importantly Betty was a Christian. She strived to live according to the teaching of Jesus, demonstrating qualities like love, compassion, humility and forgiveness.

Betty was a career-minded person early on. She held and excelled at several positions over the early years to include an Eastern Airlines Reservation Agent, a Sears Accounting Dept. Officer, as well as a Bank Teller. She also worked as a Credit Counselor for the Credit Counseling Agency before settling in as the Office Manager for Security Self Storage. Even with this profusion of employment, it wasn't quite what she was looking for. In 1998 that all changed with the opening of the first Firehouse Subs Franchise. She went on to co-own and operate eight restaurants. After 21 years of entrepreneurship she retired in 2019.

Betty had numerous interests and hobbies. The two that were her passion and consumed her energies were traveling and volunteering. Twice she traveled to Italy and throughout Europe. She took numerous cruises. She undeniably had an adventurous spirit, traveling to Breckenridge to ski, Red Rock Arizona, The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Bermuda as well as many other destinations, she loved them all. One most memorable trip was to D.C. where she saw President Ronald Reagan. She loved the mountains in the fall to witness the changing of the leaves and the sounds of rustling foliage. Picture this, a cool crisp invigorating morning, the air filled with sights and sounds of Autumn, and she's off to Maine in a convertible to witness nature's canvas and eat lobster! NO Johnny Cash was not the only "I been everywhere man"!!

Betty began dating Chester Arrant in 2004. She developed a deep adoration and love for him and married in 2013. Former spouse and close friend, Linver Leffel. She was a stepmother of Chester's sons, Jeff, Jared and Jason. Betty believed life was about giving and the blessings are in giving not receiving.

Her commitment to faith and service was evident in her lifetime membership and volunteer work at Pace Assembly of God Church in Pace, Florida, before she became a member of Olive Baptist Church Pensacola, Florida and member of the Route 66 connection group. Betty said she was a "Pentecostal that went to a Baptist Church." She co-founded the University of West Florida Football Founders. Prior to retiring she made weekly sub sandwich donations to the Ensley First Baptist Church to feed the homeless. Betty volunteered and trained with the Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief organization. When called, she would respond to serve the community after hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other disasters with various ministries to provide help, healing and hope.

Betty is survived by her spouse, Chester Arrant; three stepsons, Jeff, Jared (Kristen) and Jason; four step-grandchildren, Tiley, Rilee, Jasper and Judson; siblings, Ty (Marissa), Diana and Pat (Fred); and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and first and second cousins.

Betty is preceded in death by parents Walter and Syble, and brother Walt.

Fantastic job Betty, a life well lived! You were a blessing and have left a positive inspirational mark on all who knew you. You will always be loved, never forgotten.

Betty had two specific requests. One, that her service would be a celebration not a "downer." Being mindful, as Christians it's truly a celebration when we enter our eternal home as this is where we are given life.

Second, in lieu of flowers she requested memorial donations be made in memory of Betty Arrant to the Ensley First Baptist Church: AFAAH (A Future and a Hope), Women's Recovery Program, 50 W. Johnson Ave., Pensacola, Florida 32534, 850-476-2221, Attn. Pastor Jeff. This will help the church continue to provide services to the less fortunate and ensure Betty's indefatigable efforts will continue.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the caregivers Lauren, Kristen, Jamie, Parys, Melanie and Jessica; neighbors Bill and Stacey Gersbach; and the Olive Baptist Church Family for the compassionate enduring care, companionship, friendship and the kind steadfast support and thoughtful gestures they provided. The family also expresses appreciation to VITAS Covenant Care staff, Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital Oncology staff and to Dr. William Gross at Sacred Heart Hospital for his unwavering kindness and always realistic but hopeful perspective.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday August 22, 2025 at Lewis Funeral Home Pace Chapel 4777 West Spencer Field Road Pace Florida 32571. Visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM, and Services at

11:00-12:00 PM.

Interment will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery Pensacola Florida starting promptly at 2:00 PM.

To be apart of the procession to the graveside service please meet at Olive Baptist Church- Warrington Campus on 103 W Winthrop Avenue Pensacola Florida 32507 and arrive no later than 1:30 PM of Friday August 22, 2025.

Please, if you would like, join us to celebrate Betty's life, share memories, pray, laugh, cry and say goodbye. After the interment, the family invites everyone to Sonny's Barbecue, 630 North Navy Blvd., Pensacola, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ensley First Baptist Church, AFAAH (A Future and a Hope) Women's Recovery Program, 50 W. Johnson Ave., Pensacola, FL 32534.

Lewis Funeral Home, Pace, Florida, is in charge of arrangements.

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