Mary Beth "Bettye" Rowe Abbott

"A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Bettye Rowe Abbott entered the gates of Heaven and into the arms of Jesus at the age of 87.Bettye was born on September 18, 1929 to Brentie Brealon Rowe and Ora Cunningham Rowe and passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2017. Bettye was a member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church, The United Methodist Women, The Women's Quilting Group, and the Villa del Rey Garden Club. Bettye earned a B.S. in Home Economics from the University of Arkansas in 1952. She taught Home Economics in several Arkansas schools. Bettye leaves to cherish her memory three children and their spouses: Lisa Abbott Smith (Perry), Linda Abbott Richard (Steve), and James Paul Abbott (Evgeniya Drizhachenko, "Zhenya"); six grandchildren: Brent Thomas Smith (Kaycee), Regan Smith Wright (Cole), Landon Steven Richard, Lauren Richard Kron (Bryan), Valentina Abbott, and Alexi Grigori Abbott; four great-grandchildren: Brodee Thomas Smith, Baylee Grace Smith, Brynlee Kate Smith, and Paisley Noel Wright; and her special cousin, Jeanette Crites. Bettye's legacy includes her Christian witness, unconditional love for family and friends, and a strong sense of family through her love, kindness, guidance, support, and caretaking. She, along with her husband, taught life lessons through their Christian faith, outstanding character, high morals and standards, and a value placed upon education and learning. Bettye always found the best in others and overcame obstacles through prayer and a positive attitude. Her presence will be greatly missed, but the difference she made will carry on forever in the hearts and lives of her family and friends. Bettye had a passion for her Savior and church, music, flower arranging, and sewing, and she used these gifts to serve others. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 63 years, James Roy Abbott; and two brothers: Eugene Elwood Rowe and Raymond Henry Rowe. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 2, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd, from 6pm until 8pm and on Thursday, August 3, from 10am until funeral service at 11am, led by Rev. Ken Carroll. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be her 2 sons-in-law, Perry and Steve, her 2 grandsons, Brent and Landon, and her 2 grandsons-in-law, Cole and Bryan. In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to Broadmoor United Methodist Church, the American Heart Association, or the Louisiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's / Dementia Association. Many thanks to her doctors at Our Lady of the Lake, the Crossing Hospice nurse Hannah, and the Garden View Assisted Living Center caretakers: Juanita, Shannon, and Deon.