Betty McChesney

Betty Jean Reynolds McChesney, 90, of Safety Harbor, FL passed away June 6, 2025 into the loving arms of Jesus. Born November 4, 1934 in Monroe, GA (Walton County) to James Clarence Reynolds and Beatrice Wright Reynolds, she was the eldest of four sisters.

Betty is predeceased by her husband, William Hooper McChesney, and sons David McChesney and Timothy McChesney as well as sister, Patricia Ann Reynolds Besanson (Kay) and her parents.

Betty is survived by her son, James Thomas McChesney, sisters Brenda Reynolds Branch (Marion Pearson) and Beverly Jane Reynolds. She also leaves behind a niece, 3 nephews and their families and had recently become a great, great aunt.

Betty attended and graduated with honors from Lawrenceville High School in Lawrenceville, GA in 1950. She received several national honors for her academic performance. After graduation, she had a very successful career with Price Waterhouse and then Lederly Labs/Pfizer. She and husband, Bill, traveled extensively and collected many beautiful treasures on their journeys. However, one of her favorite claims to fame was homegrown in that she got to travel by private plane to the only horse race she ever attended where the winning horse was 1973’s Kentucky Derby winner, Secretariat who went on to win the Triple Crown.

Betty was also an accomplished pianist who had a beautiful voice, as well. In her last years, she was often heard singing her favorite hymns much to the joy of those around her. Spreading joy was a strong suit of Betty’s. She never forgot a birthday and always made sure to have gifts and a card. She was a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt and friend who will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A memorial will be held Tuesday morning, June 10th at 9:30 at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL.