Betsy Royster Favorite

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved parents, Gerald B. Favorite and Betsy Favorite, who are now reunited in eternal peace. Gerald was born on October 12, 1938, and passed away on November 4, 2023. Betsy was born on September 11, 1942, and joined him on August 18, 2024.

Their love story began in the late 1960s when Betsy hired Gerald, a talented photographer, to take some photos of her. That simple meeting blossomed into a deep love, and they were married for 54 beautiful years. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared passions, raising two children, Carolyn Favorite Lott and Jerry Favorite Jr. Their family grew to include a cherished son-in-law, Jeffery Lott, and daughter-in-law, Karen Favorite.

Gerald and Betsy were the proud grandparents of six adored grandchildren, Spencer, Sarah, Hannah, Gerald, Savannah, and Emily, as well as a beloved grandson-in-law, Drew. Known affectionately as Grandma and Grandpa by all, they found immense joy in their grandchildren, cherishing every moment spent together.

For over 30 years, they owned and operated Favorite Studios in Jacksonville, where they worked hand in hand, capturing the memories of countless businesses and families. Their warmth and kindness made them beloved figures in their community, endearing them to neighbors, friends, and the friends of their children and grandchildren. They had a unique gift for making everyone feel welcome and loved.

In their later years, Gerald and Betsy found pleasure in the simple things—gardening, fishing, and, for Betsy, indulging in her love of shopping. They were a team in every sense, and their partnership was an inspiration to all who knew them.

Their legacy is one of love, support, and unwavering commitment to family. Gerald and Betsy will be deeply missed, but their spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.

A joint celebration of their lives will be held on Thursday, August 29th at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel and Cemetery where family and friends are invited to gather and honor their memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in their names.