Betty Jane Sturtevant

Betty Jane (BJ) Sturtevant, 95, was called home to be with the Lord on August 2, 2025. BJ was at home when God placed His gracious hand upon her and called her to Heaven. BJ was born on September 7, 1929 in Pomona, CA to Dr. Herbert and Inez Kettell. She grew up in "Monte Vista," now called Montclair. BJ graduated from Chaffey High School and Chaffey College, both located at the same site on Euclid in Ontario.

BJ married Harry Callaway in 1949. They started their home in Ontario, where they were blessed with three daughters, Candice, April, and Cathy. They moved to Upland, CA in 1962, where BJ continued to be a stay-at-home mom. Her three girls kept her very busy and active. BJ was a loving wife and mother, Camp Fire Girls leader, Sunday School teacher, and chauffeur- she drove the girls to all their dance, ice skating, and piano lessons. As the girls grew older, BJ became focused on her spiritual life, leading Woman's Aglow, sharing in Bible studies, and taking trips to Israel. After 35 years with Harry, they decided to divorce and go their separate ways,.

Finding herself single, BJ not only immersed herself in ministry but also became the full-time caregiver to her deaf brother Don, who moved into her Upland home. BJ learned lip reading to help communicate with her brother and went on to earn her teaching credential in lip reading from UCR, teaching elderly students for 20+ years in Pomona, Upland, and Montclair.

Finding love again, BJ married Edward Sturtevant on March 26th, 1994. She was now a loving wife and mom of three daughters and three stepsons; they were known as the "Brady Bunch" to their friends. BJ and Ed served the Lord at their churches (Pomona First Baptist and Water of Life). They loved taking their garden flowers to shut-ins, sharing in Bible studies and social activities. BJ loved her Christian church family and being a servant of the Lord. BJ wanted to be remembered for sharing about Jesus, how He loved them, and how He had a special plan for everyone's life.

BJ is survived by her daughters and sons-in-laws: Candy and Terry Thomas; Cathy and Dave Blevins; Larry Newberry, husband of daughter April (called home to heaven in 2023); stepsons and their spouses: Bruce and Mimi Sturtevant; Bob and Joanna Sturtevant; Ron and Sandy Sturtevant; 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and only God knows how many more to come to the family!

She will be greatly missed by us all!