Betty J. Blackshear

A Time for Every Purpose Under the Heaven:

On February 15, 2018, God whispered in His beloved daughter’s ear “Open your eyes, you’re home” and Betty took her first step into God’s arms.

A Time To Be Remembered:

Betty and her beloved husband William Blackshear raised two boys, four girls and a granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jennifer Crawford, sisters Genive Moody, Dorthy Lewis, Julia Kirkland and Ruth Graham and brothers, Willie Booze, Earnest Booze, Walter Booze and Charlie Booze.

Betty a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great- great grandmother, aunt and friend leaves to cherish her memories:

Husband: William Blackshear of Ocala, FL; Sons: Bruce Blackshear of Largo, FL and Jeffery Blackshear of Bradford County, FL; Daughters: Angelia Rodriguez (Joseph) of Clover, SC, Edwina Blackshear of St. Petersburg, FL, Jacqueline Williams (Harry) of Woodbridge, VA, and Sylvia Cunningham of Rustin, FL; Sister: Catherine Sumter (Jeremiah) of New York, NY; 21 grandchildren; 38 great-grand children; Four great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and caring friends.

In the early years of her life, Betty attended schools in Pinellas County to include Pinellas High School before marrying her beloved friend William Blackshear on December 24, 1953. The next day, they relocated from Clearwater, FL, to St. Petersburg, FL, and began their life long journey together for the next 64 years.

In addition to being a home provider and raising a family of six in the pursuing years, Betty also began a profession as a licensed Beautician that lasted more than 15 years culminating with her becoming a business owner of Betty’s Beauty Salon.

She later became co-owner of Sun Coast Meat store with her husband, William.

In June 1990, Betty and her husband relocated to Marion County (Dunnellon, FL), where she studied and became a certified Pre-K school teacher until her retirement 10 years later in 2000.

Betty was an avid traveler and traveled the world to such places as West Germany; Parris, France; Mexico; and to tropical places which includes Grand Cayman Island, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Following a brief period of residency near and with family in Charlotte, NC, and Woodbridge, VA, Betty and William relocated back to Marion County and settled into the Marion Woods Retirement and Independent Living Community in Ocala, FL, in November 2017.