Betty Jeanne Knight Spell's Obituary
Betty Jeanne Knight Spell passed away on April 3, 2024 at the age of 82 surrounded by family, after a year-long battle with cancer. While she was weak in body, she remained strong in spirit. She was the matriarch of her family as well as a pillar in many others’ lives. A Funeral Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at The First Pentecostal Church located in the Grand Marais Ballroom, 919 N. Lake Arthur Ave., Jennings, La 70546. Pastor James Townley will officiate. She will be laid to rest in Burr Ferry Cemetery in Burr Ferry, LA at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
At the request of family, visitation will be held at The Grand Marais on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 1:00 PM until time of Services at 7:00 PM.
She was born on February 24, 1942 in Portsmouth, Virginia where her family was residing. The family then moved to Burr Ferry, Louisiana where she was raised. She met James Andrew Spell while in Lake Charles for college and they married on June 5, 1965. Together, they had 4 children and they also took in a bonus son.
She graduated from McNeese with her bachelor’s degree. She then obtained her master’s degree through LSU. She taught in the parishes of Vernon, St. Landry, Tangipahoa, and Evangeline. After 31 years of teaching, she retired in 2000 from W.W. Stewart in Basile. Many of her former students have shared that she was the best teacher they ever had. She learned to play piano at a young age and used her talent of playing and singing to serve the Lord and the church. In her retirement years, you could find her drinking a cup of coffee, taking care of her plants, feeding her goldfish, playing on her iPad, or cooking for her family. She always welcomed visits from family members, ready to serve them their favorite meals.
Betty is survived by her husband, James Andrew Spell; two sons, Donnie Spell, Darren Spell and wife Sedonia; one daughter, Deidre Spell and wife Rachel Barham; bonus son, Rev. Steve Gautreaux and wife Chrystal; two brothers, Rev. Eddie Tilley and Jerry Knight; eight grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren,
She was preceded in death by one son, Danny Lewis Spell; her father, Houston E. Knight; her mother, Cleola Carver Tilley and step-father, Edward Anderson Tilley; one sister, Nelta Kay and one grandchild, Anthony Spell.
The family would like to thank everyone who assisted in bringing her to appointments, visited with her, stayed with her as needed, and sent cards or flowers. Also, they thank Ochsner’s staff who went above and beyond to care for her during the time she stayed in their facilities. The family is forever grateful for her caretakers, Brittany Spell DeLeon and Kesha Reagan, as well as HOPE Hospice and Nurse Greg Lessigne. They all went the extra mile to make her comfortable during her last days.
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