Betty Jewel Gillette

Betty Jewel Jeffcoat Gillette, 82, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022. A graveside service for Ms. Gillette will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 12th, in Darien Cemetery with Rev. Justin Jacobs officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. Family and friends will meet in the cemetery at the service time.

Betty was born and raised in Luverne and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree in Education at what was then Troy State Teacher's College. She continued her higher education by earning her master's degree from the University of West Florida and dedicated the next 39 years of her life to furthering the education of the youth of America. She was a beloved elementary teacher in Florida before her retirement and move back to her hometown of Luverne. She had the perfect temperament for elementary school. She was almost preternaturally calm to the extent that just being in her presence invoked a sense of peace in all those around her. Her open and friendly demeanor was also a plus as she earned the love and respect of hundreds of students over the years. We should all hope to leave behind such a profound legacy in the world as those of teachers who mold and prepare their students for life.

Betty, who was affectionately known as "GiGi" by her grandchildren and everyone else for over 20 years now, always enjoyed working with arts and crafts even in her free time (another plus from her teaching career). She was also very active with her church family at South Luverne Baptist Church after she moved back home. Above all, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and sister. There was nothing she loved more than spending time with her family, whether in the quiet moments at home or traveling with her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, or sisters. She had a great sense of humor and was an inspiration to all those who knew her in the pose and grace with which she moved through life. Her passing will be mourned by all those who knew and loved her, but they will find comfort in the knowledge that she did not suffer and is now safe & whole in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, George & Voncile Garner Jeffcoat, and grandparents, Glen & Mattie Jeffcoat and Bud Rufus & Lizzie Bell Garner. She is survived by her beloved son & daughter-in-law, Brad & Kimberly Gillette; the grandchildren she was so fiercely devoted to, Jessica & Matthew Gillette; siblings, Bonnie Loyd, Brenda (Larry) Register, and Kenneth (Carol) Jeffcoat; aunts, Margaret Nichols, Molly Messick, and Florence Jeffcoat; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members & friends.

The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research at www.lustgarten.org.