Betty Jane Otken

A devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, she passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at 2:35 p.m. after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was 76 and a native of Greenwood, Miss., residing in Baton Rouge since 1960. Survived by her husband of 50 years, Henry Lea Otken; daughter, Betsy Otken Barnes and her husband, Walton J. Barnes II, of Greenwell Springs; sons, Henry Kennedy "Ken" Otken, of Baton Rouge, and James Webster Otken and his wife, Michelle Jolie Otken, of Denham Springs. Betty Jane was most proud of her five grandchildren, Malia Danae Otken and Taylor Reid Otken, both of Baton Rouge, George Peyton Kennedy North, of Greenwell Springs, and Emily Ames Otken and Ella Jane Otken, both of Denham Springs. Also survived by many other relatives and friends. Betty Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Henry Webster Kennedy and Frances Weeks Kennedy, who were of Greenwood. She was born and reared in Greenwood, graduated from Greenwood High School in 1949 and enrolled in Breneau College for Women in Atlanta, majoring in education. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.S. degree in elementary education, inspired by her love of children. Although she began teaching in her hometown, she moved and taught in Gulfport, Miss., and Houston, and then married in 1957. Betty Jane and Henry moved to Galveston, Texas, before settling in the Broadmoor area of Baton Rouge where they began their family. She will always be remembered by those who knew her as a faithful wife, a mother devoted to her family, children and their friends with Southern charm and hospitality, a beautiful spirit and deep kindness to others. She was a member of University Baptist Church and Jefferson Baptist Church. For many years she was actively involved as an alumni of Ole Miss, Delta Delta Delta sorority at LSU and volunteered with many local nonprofit organizations. Pallbearers will be James Webster Otken, Henry Kennedy Otken, Walton J. Barnes II, James Weeks Russell Jr. of Greenwood, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gordon Minter Ditto of Greenwood, William Mark Akchin, Stephen Gale Albin of Watson, and Joseph Gerald Jolie of Denham Springs. Honorary pallbearers are Robert J. Rau, Charles Merwin Branch of Houston; Francis Powell Otken of College Station, Texas, Dewey Antoon of Greenwood and William H. Lane of Zephur Cove, Nev. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Generations Hospice, Dr. M. Patrick Stagg and staff, Dr. William Russell, Dr. Brian Gremillion, Dr. Stuart Samson and caregivers Audrey Paul, Carol Hodges, Laynetric Rogers and Gina Williamson for their kindness. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Wednesday, Oct. 3, was from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation resumes at the funeral home chapel on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until Christian service at 10 a.m. Graveside service in Live Oak Methodist Church Cemetery, 34890 La. 16, Watson. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.