Betty Pearl Beaven

BETTY BEAVEN Obituary
Betty Pearl (Williams) Beaven was born on July 20, 1937, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was the third of seven children born to the union of Pastor James Oliver and Margaret Nora (Stone) Williams. She confessed Jesus Christ at an early age at the 22nd Street Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) under the pastorate of Elder David A. Reed, Sr.
Betty's formative education was received in the Indianapolis Public School System (IPS #56 and #26), graduating from Crispus Attucks High School, in 1955. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1971, from Indiana Central College, now recognized as the University of Indianapolis, followed by a Master of Science degree in Education from Indiana University (IUPUI) in 1978.
On August 2, 1957, Betty was united in Holy Matrimony to Johnson Aloysius Beaven, Jr. One child was born from this union, Johnson Aloysius Beaven, III.
Betty's professional career started in government service in 1956 until 1971 at the U. S. Army Finance and Accounting Center, and the U.S. General Accounting Office. From 1971 to 1976, she taught music in the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township at Grandview Elementary School, whose location is not The Sycamore School.
Beginning in 1976, Betty was employed at Delta Air Lines/Worldspan in the Indianapolis office, where she held various positions including reservation sales agent, automation support representative, and account executive. In addition, she worked as a Classroom and Onsite Instructor at Delta's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Following her retirement in 1997, she resumed working in education as a Media Specialist and Instructional Assistant within the Indianapolis Public School system until 2022.
Betty had a lifelong passion for music, particularly gospel and classical genres. She was blessed with the rare musical gift of absolute (perfect) pitch. Betty started playing piano at the age of seven, studying with Lillian Brown Carson and later with Jo Hatt. At Indiana Central College, she studied under the tutelage of Dorothy M. Munger, a member of the Steinway Artist family and the endowed chair, principal pianist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for 27 years. One of Betty's greatest pleasures was imparting her passion in teaching piano lessons to individuals of all ages.
Betty served as director of music or on the music staff of many churches for over 50 years of service, including: 12th and Senate COGIC, 22nd St. COGIC, COGIC District 4 Choir, Indiana North (First Jurisdiction) COGIC State Choir, and Citadel of Faith COGIC; Christ Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church North Indianapolis, St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 25th Street Baptist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the historic Bethel A.M.E. Church. She appeared on album recordings in Indianapolis for the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress, and the Indiana North COGIC State Choir.
Betty was a member at Citadel of Faith COGIC and later attended Love and Kindness COGIC. She was a very sociable person holding memberships in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mu Phi Epsilon, Les Gemmes, Inc., Fortnightly Literary Reading Club, and Circle of Friends II Reading Club. She had a loving heart for family, hosting family gatherings and Thanksgiving dinner.
Known for her classy and fashionable style, Betty participated in fashion shows as a model. In her younger days when asked how she was, with a smile her reply would be, "I'm f-i-n-e, just like I look." As a resilient two-time breast cancer survivor over 35 years, she would say in her later years, "I'm hanging in there like a champ." Her lifelong love of music inspired her to encourage others to be uplifted through music, often mentioning, "there's a song for everything." Her favorite scripture was, Proverbs 3:5-6, which she would state after grace at mealtimes.
Betty was recognized as one of the rare and highly valued gemstones, for she exemplified the essence of what her middle name, Pearl, represents-preciousness. Consequently, she was affectionately referred to as "Betty Pearl" or simply "Pearl."
On April 19, 2025, Betty Pearl departed this earthly life at the age of 87 to be with her heavenly Father. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Dorcas Lois Cravens, Esther Laura Rivera, Clara Marie Flowers, and godson, Rev. Roscoe "Rocky" Carpenter, Jr. Her memory will be cherished, and she will be greatly missed.
Among those to treasure precious memories of her are: son, Rev. Johnson A. Beaven, III (Rita); grandson, Michael Brandon Beaven and his mother, Cloretta Sue Beaven; one brother, Jerry Oliver Williams; two sisters, Rosetta Virginia Brown and Mary Margaret Williams; three goddaughters, Janice Ballard, Kathy Slash, and Pamela Jean Davis; along with god grandchildren, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, church family and many friends.
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