Bette Janet Souza

copious amount of sparkle and shine with her demise. Her feisty persona was topped

with her signature bright red hair, her beautiful handcrafted Swarovski crystal bracelets

that bedecked both arms and her gorgeous jewelry that adorned not only her fingers but

her toes. She was one of a kind and an unforgettable woman.

Bette grew up a native Chula Vistan and all during her childhood through her early adult

life, her Prince Charming was waiting in her periphery. Her career was spent bartending

at numerous establishments in South Bay San Diego. She holds the accolades of being

the first female licensed bartender in the State of California. Back in the mid 1970’s, she

was hired at Harvey Souza’s place of business “The Village Club Card Room/The

Winner’s Circle Bar.” As fate would have it, she finally came face to face with her Prince

Charming and the rest is history as the saying goes. They were married for 40+ years.

Her world now revolved around supporting her husband in his family run business and

creating their personal sanctuary at their home in Bonita. She doted on her cats, her

dogs, and her horses.

Cowgirl up in her red and black attire, she was a proud member of the Bonita Valley

Horsemen’s Club for 35 years. She was a fierce advocate of the Bonita Valley horse

trails. She participated in trail rides, poker rides, camping trips along with riding her

Arabian horse, Jazz, and her Palomino horse, Sunny, in our local Bonitafest parades.

Besides riding horses, she could be seen around town riding in her “Red’s 46” lovingly

restored cherry red Ford truck. When it was time to put the pedal to the metal, she was

behind the wheel competing in numerous San Diego Antique Drags held at the

Carlsbad Raceway back in the 80’s and 90’s.

Bette was extremely talented and creative when it came to putting her own personal

artistic twist on her attire, her jewelry, her animals and her home. She left her individual

signature on all that she touched.

Her private and closely guarded heart was full of love and pride for her family. Bette is

survived by her loving husband Harvey Souza, her children; Dean Clift and Cynthia

Anderson (Todd), her grandchildren; Holly Jones (Jay) and William Anderson

(Morganne) and her great grandchildren; Weston Jones, Brett, Kayden and Braxton

Anderson along with 5 stepchildren Kristy Gula (Jeff), Linda Silva (Ronnie), Kelly Souza

(Steve), Tony Souza, and Michael Souza, with their 24 grandchildren, and 24 great

grandchildren.

A funeral service for Bette will be held Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Chapel of the Roses, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Souza family.