Betty "Betts" Overstreet

The memorial service for Betts Overstreet has been postponed indefinitely.    

Our beloved matriarch, Betts Overstreet, gently left this world on June 22, 2024 while in her home surrounded by love. She went home to be reunited with her beloved husband, Jack Overstreet, who preceded her in death after 37 years of a beautiful, uplifting marriage. 

   Betts was born on July 14, 1928 in Bluefield, West Virginia. She was born into a large, loving family. She was the seventh of eight children, who all preceded her in death.

   She had a happy childhood, praising her parents for raising them in a Christian home with an abundance of love, always putting the children first. Emmit N. Russell and Mattie Pearl Russel, who preceded her in death, were kind, loving, and dedicated parents. They instilled in her these qualities, which would define a major part of who she came to be. 

   Betts was a lover of learning early on, which continued the rest of her life. She would excel at whatever she chose to do. 

   Ahead of her time in many ways, she was a self-made woman; a working mother, when it was not socially acceptable. Through her love of life and her determination she achieved many great accomplishments. In the business world she rose from Secretary 1 to Executive Secretary of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. She later retired from this position, lovingly encouraged by her husband.

   To pursue her real passion in the Arts, Betts was drawn to the traditional Chinese brush painting method called Sumi-e (which is intimately linked with the arts of calligraphy and poetry). As the president of the Sumi-e Society, she was honored and her art was displayed in many countries. Betts has said, “Every time I pick up my brush, I trust my hand will be sure and my heart and mind in accord. Then and only then will my brush dance and my ink sing.” She would spend many hours a day in her studio, Misty Morning Studio, enjoying and creating exquisite art. Leaving behind an ongoing and amazing legacy. 

   She was generous with her knowledge and creativity, sharing with students who she inspired. She gave of herself to the community through art classes at the Senior Center in Tallahassee, and demonstrations at local schools, as well as private classes. She was generous in life as well, always ready to lend a kind ear or reach out a helping hand. A kind, gentle loving person held dear by all who knew her; she extended this kindness to the birds and animals as well. 

   Her legacy lives on as well in her love of the animals, especially the wild birds. She was known to some as the “Bird Lady” and the Circle J was declared a wildlife refuge by the Audubon Society, honoring she and her husband for decades of providing food, water, and shelter to local and migrating birds and animals. Her son and daughter will carry on this tradition. 

   We cherish an abundance of family memories…family gatherings, interesting conversations, delicious meals, Easter egg hunts, and walks to Misty Morning Studio. Whether helping to feed the birds, visiting her studio, or joining her in her delightful kitchen, one felt the meditative magic of this gentle, loving woman. 

   She will be loved and missed by her family: son, David Riggins; daughter, Terra Reed; stepsons and their wives, Jack Overstreet, Jr. and Laura Overstreet of Burk, VA, the Honorable Michael Overstreet and Paula Barbieri Overstreet of Panama City Beach, FL; grandchildren, Tai Reed, Kuan Reed, Sunny Reed, Kito Reed, Lorri Riggins, Melissa Riggins, Christopher Riggins of Tampa, FL, Heather Overstreet Brown of Arlington, VA, Jack C. Overstreet III of Washington, VA, Avery Overstreet-Merrell of Panama City Beach, FL, and Sophia Overstreet of Panama City Beach, FL; along with nine great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. 

   And…in the words of her best friend, Chris Nolan, “That great presence is no longer among us.” 

  An art show in Betts’ honor is still to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her honor to the local Humane Society, Audubon Society, or the World Wildlife Fund. 

   Faith Funeral home & Crematory (6972 Florida / Georgia Hwy. Havana, FL 32333) is in charge of arrangements.