Betty O'Barr

Betty Jean (Ellis) O'Barr born Feb 10, 1945, passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 26, 2024. She is survived by her husband K. Fred O'Barr of more than 58 years. She grew up in Birmingham, AL and graduated from Woodlawn High School. Betty Jean worked at the University of Georgia for most of her career, retiring from there in 2005. She and Fred returned to Alabama and spent the first nine years of their retirement caring for Lucile O'Barr, her mother-in-law. She is also survived by her two sons Kevin O'Barr of Raleigh, NC and Kenneth O'Barr of Atlanta, GA and her three younger siblings, John Allen Ellis, Ronald Ralph Ellis, Beverly Ann (Ellis) Johnson, and her many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She wanted to spend her last years near her siblings and she succeeded at that. She appreciated the quality time and travel that they shared. She loved family and spent years holding the extended family together by organizing family reunions, fall trips to the mountains, Caribbean cruises, and similar group activities. She was immediately loved by everyone she encountered. She was the reliable matriarch and the family looked to her for advice and encouragement. She kept a cheerful outlook throughout the many difficult times life gave her. Betty Jean's connective, kind presence will be missed by all.

A service will be held at Jefferson Memorial on July 1, 2024 with visitation from 12:30 - 1:45pm. The service will begin at 2:00pm, with interment immediately afterwards in the cemetery. Betty Jean and her family request that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in her honor, as you are able, to No Longer Orphans www.nolongerorphans.org.