Betty Brattain

Betty “Rete” Brattain, of Tampa, FL, passed away on her 74th birthday, December 4th. At 74 years old, she was welcomed into the Lord’s embrace, surrounded by loving family, and, like her husband, though she faced many difficult health issues towards the end, she is finally at rest and rewarded for her righteous path.

Part of the noble Coharie tribe, Rete was born in Clinton, North Carolina, to Flora Jones and Jesse Jacobs. She devoted her life to serving God by her firm faith, stalwart values, and enduring love, which reflected her caring spirit and purpose as an emotional anchor for her family.

In the late 70s, Rete and her precious daughter, Tonia, moved down to Florida, where they would later meet the love of her life, Jeffrey Brattain, and his sons, Jason and Jamie. Together, they completed their family by adopting their youngest son, Jesse.

Loving the milieu of Florida life, Rete fully embraced an active life soaked by the rays of the sun through her cherished time tending her gardens and finding joy spending time at the beach. Throughout her life, Rete has had many talents and interests, such as studying criminal justice to obtain her paralegal status, loving to dance to music like Country and Disco, running her business with Jani-King, and playing pickleball.

Together for over 41 years, Rete and Jeff built a life of eternal love and security that nurtured them and their children, and their Sundays were submerged in attending the Baptist Church of God and cheering on the swashbuckling Tampa Bay Buccaneers every game.

Rete was predeceased by her father, Jesse; her mother, Flora; her siblings: Alton Burnette, Frank Burnette, Glacenia Simmons, Ellen Jones; her devoted husband, Jeffrey; her beloved daughter, Tonia and her special best friend, Barbara Davis.

She is survived by her other siblings: Ruby Byrd, Bonnie Ammons, Bernetha Long (Gilmer), Johnnie Jacobs (Carol); her sons: Jason (Melissa), Jamie (Tonya), and Jesse Brattain; her grandchildren: Jacob, Christian, Jagar, Kyla, Jeffrey, Jadyn, and David; and her great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Josiah, Jacquelyn, Messiah, Kinzley, Million, Marciela, and Mila; and her special best friends: Shelley Miller, Judi Williams, Charles Lang, along with leaving behind a host of nieces, nephews and an abundance of extended family and friends.

She placed importance on togetherness and hospitality, as her home was always a place for comfort, laughter, and love. She is forever cherished by her surviving family and friends who witnessed her example of working diligently, professed faith, and loving unconditionally. She is proudly awaiting her beautiful family in the Great Halls of Heaven.

Services will be held at Blount & Curry Funeral Home – Carrollwood Chapel, located at 3207 W. Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL. 33618 on Friday, December 19th, 2025. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 PM for visitation and from 3:00-4:00 PM for services. All are welcome to attend.