Elizabeth Sullivan Ravenstein

Elizabeth Sullivan Ravenstein (Betty), 87, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of adventures, memories, and a family who loved her dearly. The Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison, Mississippi with visitation prior to the service from 10:00am – 11:00am at the church. Betty was born April 4, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri and carried with her through life a generous, giving spirit and an adventurous, thrill-seeking personality, and, above all, her unwavering devotion to her family, friends and her Catholic faith.

Family was the heart of her life and Betty devoted years to genealogy to learning all she could about her family and its history. She was proud of her Irish heritage and eventually became a dual citizen of Ireland.

Some of Betty’s greatest joy came from traveling around the world to experience other cultures. From Europe to Egypt to Africa to China, she loved taking her family along with her to share the joy of exploring the world together. Her adventurous spirit, her love of life, and her devotion to those she loved will live on through the generations of her family and in the countless memories they shared with her.

Betty’s love of travel may have taken her around the world, but she was just as happy close to home from bird watching in her own backyard to baking goodies for neighbors and friends to the fun she had with her Red Hat Society ladies. She was an infamous gift giver and “Grandy” as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as countless others, loved the holidays. She started her shopping months ahead and took joy in celebrating with loads of presents and food and stuffing Christmas stockings with “Grandy Gadgets” and so much more. She enjoyed bowling and loved playing cards and games with friends. She and Ted loved taking their boys camping and teaching them to trout fish in the Ozarks in Missouri. Betty loved traveling to St. Louis to see friends and family and catch a game as she was a lifelong, devoted St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

Betty shared 55 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Ted Ravenstein, before his death in 2012. Together, they built a life centered around family, hard work, and countless shared experiences. Betty and Ted moved to Jackson in 1969 to purchase Juniker Jewelry Company from Ted’s uncle, John Juniker. Betty worked alongside Ted at Juniker Jewelry where their work was very much a family affair. Over the years, all their children played various roles in the business, creating memories and experiences that extended far beyond the workplace. Betty was proud to have her sons join the business as the third generation and her grandson as the fourth generation. Betty retired from Juniker Jewelry in 2006, and she will be remembered for the legacy she helped create.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 55 years, Teddy Gene Ravenstein, and her son, Dennis Mitchell Ravenstein. She is survived by her sons, John Wayne Ravenstein (Rachel Betts) and Donald William Ravenstein (Rhonda Thornton), her grandchildren, Natalie Lynn Ravenstein Adams (James Ray); Corey William Ravenstein (Jennifer Lewis); John Ryan Ravenstein; Reagan Elizabeth Ravenstein McMurtery (Vincent), Emerald Lynn Ravenstein Wages (Chad); her great-grandchildren, Amelia Lynn Adams and Charlotte Elizabeth Lynn Adams, Addison Lynn Ravenstein, Virginia Belle Wages and Shepard Lee Wages, her step-son, Ronald Gene Ravenstein, her sister-in-law, Pauline Ravenstein Littleton of Cape Girardeau, MO, and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Betty was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Son Valley, P.O. Box 406, Canton, MS 39046 or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Madison, MS.