Betty Bryant Boyett, beloved mother and Mimi peacefully went to be with Jesus at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Community Hospice of Jacksonville, FL. In her final hours, she was surrounded by her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She leaves behind a legacy of faith in Jesus and love for family and friends. She was born in Blackshear July 24, 1932 to John and Dora Bryant. In November of 1951 she married the love of her life, Elder Willis “Pap” Boyett who made it to heaven before her. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Dora Bryant; sister, Ruth Bryant; granddaughter, Alicia Harper Barnes, a grandchild and two great grandchildren, who we didn’t get to meet, but I am sure she’s rocking them in heaven.
She was so much more than a wife and mother. As a teenager she played girls’ basketball in high school and worked at a cigar factory in Blackshear. She graduated from Blackshear High School in 1951 and was accepted to the University of Georgia School of Nursing. She chose instead to commit her life to Pap and her girls. However, she had many opportunities to unofficially live out her dream of nursing by caring for her family through sickness and in health. She took sewing lessons in the 1960s through the Fernandina Beach Recreation Department and won a sewing machine. She sewed countless pieces of doll clothing and dresses for five little girls. She raised her family to love Jesus and His church. She served faithfully in different capacities at Springhill Baptist Church for many years until she was physically unable to attend. She held various jobs throughout her life at Amelia Island Omni, Southside Elementary as a teacher’s aide, Walmart in the fabric department and for a season she volunteered to supervise visits and provide transportation for a single mother and her children. She was a listening ear and full of wisdom. Her wit and insight will be greatly missed!
Survivors include her five daughters, Joann Boyett, Sheryl Harper (Mark), Betty Ann Sparkman (Jack), Dori Sikes (Gary) and Kara Bellar (Darryl); seven grandchildren, Traci Sparkman, Drew Sparkman (Katie), Ashley Sparkman Fernandez, Robyn Yonn (Jarrod), Austin Turner (Hayley), Catie Harless (Brandon) and Abby Buben (Hunter); 14 great-grandchildren, Harper Barnes and his father Christopher, Noah Muhs, Ayden Muhs, Carter Muhs, Andrew Sparkman, Jackson Sparkman, Myles Fernandez, Titus Fernandez, Isla Yonn, Macsen Turner, Marley Turner, Archie Harless, Poppy Buben and Ellie Buben; her brother, Charles Bryant (Ferrell); bonus daughter, LaNell Fowler and sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at the funeral home.
A service celebrating her life is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6, from the Springhill Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, FL.
She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery beside her husband.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
The family would like to thank Linda Herndon Little for her friendship and care for our mother. She was so much more than a caregiver. She helped tremendously when we couldn’t be present with mom and did everything with care and compassion.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors of Fernandina Beach, FL, is in charge of arrangements.
