Betty Jeanette Echols

Born on August 15, 1927 to Ruby Hopkins Leavell and Grover Cleveland Leavell, she was raised on a farm in what was then rural west Cobb County as the oldest of five siblings. A graduate of McEachern High School, in 1945 she married her childhood friend, Charles Eugene Echols, while he was on leave from the United States Navy. Following his Honorable Discharge in December of 1945, the young couple moved to Marietta, where they raised their son and she lived for over 80 years.

Jeanette was employed at Hole Proof Hosiery and Marietta Collection Agency before she co-founded Jewel Collection Agency, where she remained until her retirement.

An avid collector, she and Charles could often be found at flea markets and collectors club

conventions where they enjoyed connecting with friends in the collector community. She particularly enjoyed furniture repairing and refinishing and collecting toothpick holders, hat pin holders, dresser sets, and most especially antique carnival glass. She was a longtime member of The International Carnival Glass Association and the Heart of America \ Carnival Glass Association. She also enjoyed working in her yard and tending to her flower gardens.

A long-time member of Crestview Baptist Church, now GracePointe Marietta Baptist Church, she could be found on Sundays in her special pew, worshipping with beloved friends well into her 90’s.

Following Charles’ death in 1999, she especially delighted in time spent with her cherished son and grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Charles Eugene Echols and siblings Clara (Tom) Byrd, Myrtle (Doug) Byrd, Marvine (Jim) Phillips, and Talmadge Leavell. She is survived by her son, Danny Charles (Kyle) Echols and grandchildren Lindsey (Coleman) Jahnke and Connor Echols.

Funeral services will be held at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church St., Marietta, Georgia 30060 on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with family visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to GracePointe Marietta Baptist Church.