Bette Jean Lawrence

Bette Jean was born and raised in Montgomery, a graduate of Lanier High School and William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri. In her youth, Bette Jean was an accomplished equestrian winning numerous championships on her triple-gated saddlebred mare “Alabama Belle.” Bette Jean competed on Belle at the World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky.

Never wanting to be out front but always working behind the scenes, Bette Jean will be remember for her servant’s heart. She was an attentive daughter caring for her late father and mother; a doting sister caring for her late sister; an adoring mother caring for her children. She was a devoted preacher’s wife, understanding paper mill widow, and a supportive Navy spouse to her husband, Jeff.

Bette Jean was active serving in church from the kitchen to children’s ministry to cleaning. She had a heart for evangelism, attending the 1972 Campus Crusade for Christ Expo in Dallas, TX, working on Billy Graham Crusades, participating in Evangelism Explosion, and serving at Save-A-Life and WLBF Radio. She went on short-term mission to Russia with Campus Crusade’s Operation Carelift.

Preceded in death by parents, Dr Randolph Penton, Jr and Jean Ann Evans Penton, sister Marianne Penton Clements, uncle Dr George Blue Penton, Bette Jean is survived by her husband Rev Dr Jeff Lawrence, son Wayne (Nichole) Goff, daughter Erin Lawrence Spellman, and son Brandon (Emily) Lawrence, grandchildren Patrick, Hayden, Avery, Shepherd, and Willie Jo, aunt Pat Penton, brother-in-law Albert (Jan) Lawrence, and nephews Kirby Clements, John (Kellie) Clements, William (Jessa)Lawrence, and Charles (Jovie) Lawrence.

The family is especially thankful for the loving care given by Odessa, Janice, Gloria, Lindsey, and Audra, over recent years, and the nurses and caregivers at Crowne’s Reflections unit in recent months.

A visitation will begin at 12:30 pm on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Leak Memory Chapel, followed by a 2:00 pm funeral in the chapel. A graveside service will follow at Greenwood Serenity Memorial Gardens for immediate family and closest friends. Rev John Schmidt and Rev Dr Jimmy Jeffcoat will officiate.

Pallbearers: grandson, Patrick Smith, nephew, Kirby Clements, nephew, John Clements, Rev Trip Etheridge, Randall Rhodes, Albert Lawrence. Honorary Pallbearers: JohnWood, Steve Bowcock, Woody Bagwell, Dr Sam Saliba, Joe Petranka, Charlie Brown, the Elders of Young Meadows Presbyterian Church (Montgomery), Beatrice Community Church, Bethel ARP Church (Oak Hill), and Camden ARP Church.

Memorial donations may be made to the ministry of choice: First Choice, WLBF Radio, cru’s Josh McDowell Ministry and Unto (formerly, Operation CareLift).