Earnestine Jeffers

Earnestine Betts Jeffers was born July 17, 1939 in Winkler, TX. She was called home on December 22, 2025 after a short illness. She is dearly missed. She was a steadfast member of Carver Heights Baptist Church for 57 years where she served as a member of the Usher Board, Women’s Ministry, Courtesy Committee and spent more than 35 years as a Program Chairperson.

Earnestine was the oldest of eighteen children. She was the oldest of four born to Earnest Betts Sr. and Thelma Bryant Betts. Unfortunately, Thelma passed away at the age of 32 years old from breast cancer in 1952 at a time when African Americans could not go to a hospital and be treated for major medical diagnoses. Speaking to her strength of character, Earnestine at the tender age of 12 years old, took care of her mother in her last illness and her 3 younger siblings. Thereafter, her father Earnest Sr. married Emma Jean Chance and she became the big sister to 12 more children. She attended primary and high school in Kerens, Texas in the community of Goodlow Park, TX.

Earnestine was determined to see what this big, wide world had to offer. She left for the big city of Dallas and attended secretary school where she learned to type, take dictation and learned office management skills. Ultimately, she was hired as the first African American secretary by LTV in 1971. She appeared in many advertising campaigns touting this breaking of the glass ceiling for the African American community.

Thereafter, when LTV acquired Braniff Airlines, she took her skills to the new company where God blessed her to see even more of His beautiful world as she became a Ticket Agent for one of the fastest growing airlines. One of her favorite things to do was to travel to see “the beautiful world God created for us to enjoy.” During her tenure at Braniff Airlines, she took her husband and children to all seven Hawaiian Islands and many cities in Europe including Paris, London and Rome.

In the mid-eighties when Braniff Airlines merged with PSA Airlines, she decided to join her husband in the operation of J&J Reliable Pest Control, as its Office Manager. As its Founder and CEO, J.C. with his biggest supporter beside him, grew the business exponentially serving thousands of private homes and local businesses in its more than 50-year existence from their two office locations: one in South Dallas and the other in Oak Cliff.

Anyone that met Earnestine knew her life was grounded in the church. She raised her daughters in the church, showing them her unwavering belief in God which shone through every aspect of her life. She was a devoted member of Carver Heights Baptist Church under Pastor Tyler Carter, joining the church in 1968 because she was looking for a good church-based school for her daughters. Not long after choosing Carver Heights as her church home, she joined the Senior Usher Board in 1975. She was appointed as its 2nd Vice President in 2019 and served in numerous other capacities – The Courtesy Committee, The Pastor’s Aide Committee, the Pioneers Committee, the Senior Center and the Women’s Ministry.

Her devotion to her church was recognized numerous times as she was named Usher of the Year in 1998 and 2003, received the Joy Carter Service Award in 2003, the Tyler Carter Leadership Award in 2007, named Woman of the Year in 2008 and honored as Family of the Year in 2021. Having served as a Program Chairperson for more than 35 years, it is on the Courtesy Committee that she left her mark. She was instrumental in pushing many members to overcome their fear and speak in their best voices on her ministry. As its leader, she elevated the welcoming of guests and members with her signature booming voice, showcasing the joy in prayer and the strength in scripture. A worship experience at Carver Heights would not be complete without the warm, soulful voice of Sis. Jeffers declaring, “…and you are always Welcome, Welcome, Welcome…!”

She is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 51 years J.C. Jeffers who she met on a blind date in 1962 and whom she later married in 1966. J.C. gained his wings on Christmas Day 2017. She joins him in the afterlife, having celebrated their 59th heavenly Wedding Anniversary together on December 23rd, just one day after her passing; brothers Joe Dean Betts, Willie Betts, Robert Betts and Vernon Brown; and sisters Lorine Betts Beal and Frances Betts Bailey.

She leaves to cherish her memory, the lights of her life – her three stellar girls: daughter Lois Jean Murry of Dallas, TX; Shirley Jeffers Clark (Jerome) of Dallas, TX and Tanisa Jeffers Bernard of Austin, TX and five grandchildren: Stanton E. Lawrence Jr. of Dallas, TX; Jaicee Lawrence (named after her grandfather J.C.) of Dallas, TX; Jordan Bernard of Chicago, IL; Brian H. Bernard II of New York City; and Taylor Bernard of Charlottesville, VA. Also left to cherish her memory is her favorite great-grandson Rocket Saint Lawrence who she was blessed to become best friends with, late in life.

She also leaves to cherish in her memory her handsome brothers: Earnest Betts Jr., Homer Betts, James Betts, Michael Betts and Jeffery Betts; and her beautiful sisters Joyce Yeldell, Mary Washington, Rebecca Williams, Vernestine Betts, Annetta Betts Bryant, Marcia Betts, a special nephew Price Beal II and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

“One day you will read that Earnestine Betts Jeffers is dead. Do not believe it. I just changed my address. My new address is heaven and I am more alive than ever.”

Your Sister In Christ,

Earnestine Betts Jeffers