Betty C. Fayard

Betty Peterson Fayard, 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend was welcomed home to eternal life on January 13, 2016. Among those to greet her was God with His angels as well as her Momma, Daddy, other family members and many friends. The happiest greeting of all was when her devoted husband of 50 years, John D. Fayard, threw his arms around her and gave her that warm and loving embrace she has been longing for ever since his passing, eight and a half years ago. Betty was born in Mobile, Alabama on May 8, 1933. She became a resident of Pensacola, FL in 1965 where she and John built a home for their family in Myrtle Grove. They became active members of Little Flower Catholic Church where many enduring and close friendships were established that have remained very special through the years. Betty's love for flowers has consumed her since childhood. She adored spending most waking hours in her gardens where she felt very near to God. Betty easily pass the hours away, with her second passion: reading a good book. She loved to bake (only from scratch) and would share her specialties with friends and family. Of all of her passions in life, she was most proud of providing a beautiful and loving home for her husband and seven children. Betty will be best remembered for her sweet, gentle nature, her sincerity and warm compassionate smile.Preceding her in death were: her devoted husband, John D. Fayard, her parents, Charles and Marguerite Peterson, her sister, Helen Peterson, and her brothers, George Peterson, and C.W. Peterson. She is survived by three sons: Chris Fayard (Kim), Mark Fayard (Karen) and Greg Fayard (Christy), four daughters: Marguerite Fayard, Elizabeth "Lisa" Fayard, Michele Groves (Danny) and Catherine "Cathy" Whitehead (Vance); 10 grandchildren (listed below), 1 great grandchild, Penelope Groves. The family would like to express their gratitude to Betty's close friends: Teresa Dumas, Barbara Coleman, Dolly Murph, Marietta Cochran and Berta Kneece, who each shared with Betty wonderful times, support and loving friendship through the years. They would also like to thank Grace Medical and the beautiful staff of Regency Hospice for their amazing care and compassion these final weeks of Betty's life. Pallbearers include: Betty's grandsons: David Ace, Jonathan Groves, Steven Groves, Jared Fayard, Devin Whitehead, Trey Whitehead, Ryan Fayard and William Fayard and her two son-in-laws: Danny Groves and Vance Whitehead. Readers include Betty's granddaughters: Jennifer Ace, Amanda Fayard. Visitation will be 10:00am-11:00am, Saturday, January 16, 2016, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with the Mass to follow at 11:30 am at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola, FL. The service will proceed to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Mobile AL for a Rosary at 2:00pm. Services will commence with a burial at the Mobile Catholic Cemetery.