Everlena R. Betts

1938 - 2022

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Mrs. Everlena R. Betts (nee Robinson). She passed away surrounded by her children on the afternoon of Sunday, June 5th, 2022, at Rush Copley Medical Center.

She was delivered by a midwife on a Mississippi sharecroper's plantation on August 1st, 1938; Taught by her parents that faith, hard work and education were the keys to personal betterment, for those of us who knew Mrs. Betts, we know that this is who she was.

She met and married her husband, Mr. Charles M. Betts, at Mississippi Valley State University. They were together 40 years until his death in 2001. Both left Mississippi in the 60's in pursuit of a better life ... and went on to become the first college and M.A. degrees in their families. She and her late husband devoted their lives to education. During her teaching career of 50 years, she taught in Mississippi, before moving to Aurora, Illinois and teaching for School District 129 at both Jefferson Middle School and Nancy Hill Elementary school. For our parents, education was not just a profession ... It was a calling. She often told her students that if she could make it, so could they if they applied themselves.

She was cherished by her friends and respected by her colleagues. To her three children, our mother is and always will be our hero. She is now at peace and reunited with our father.

She was preceded in death by her parents Warren and Arvie Robinson of Belzoni, Mississippi, her brothers Junior Robinson and L. G. Robinson, and her husband Charles M. Betts.

She is survived by her three children Jacques A. Betts, Charles D. Betts and Dr. Giselle L. Betts.

Per her wishes, arrangements are being handled by The Healy Chapel at 332 W. Downer Place in Aurora.

In lieu of memorials, donations can be made to the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry.

To sign the online guestbook please visit www.healychapel.com 603-897-9291