Betty J. Arter, age 77, went home to be with the Lord on January 28, 2023.

Betty J. Arter was born August 28, 1945, in Cordova Alabama and grew up in the greater Cleveland, OH area.  While officially an only child, she was raised within a large extended family that included 1^st cousins who affectionately referred to her as “big Betty” (so as not to confuse her with younger cousin “little Betty”).

She was preceded in death by her loving parents the late James E. Davis and Madie Mavis Davis, and by her grannie, the late Maddie Louise Driver Smith.  She was finally called home on January 28, 2023, at the age of 77.

A graduate of John Hay High School, Betty was passionate about learning and enjoyed a variety of college courses with vastly different curricula.  She earned the nickname “Betty, gotta-have-an-A, Arter” from her college classmates, took pride in setting the curve in many of her classes, and earned a recurring place on the Dean’s List.  She was one of the most intelligent and practical people to grace our family.  Her love of learning, unwavering encouragement and support, inspired all her daughters to obtain college degrees.

Her passion for knowledge extended into her spiritual life as well.  Betty sought truth and explored many paths to that end; including brief stints as a Muslim, a member of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, where she met husband of 44 years Roland Arter, and Christianity.  She maintained an open mind and always sought to understand all perspectives, never falling victim to dogma.  Ultimately, Betty was a Christian.  She lived and died believing in Jesus Christ and looked forward to reuniting with her parents and especially her grannie in Heaven.

Betty spent most of her career in service to others.  Early in her career at United Airlines, serving the needs of traveling passengers, at Metzenbaum Children’s Center, serving the needs of displaced children, and at both Lanier and the Roach-Reid Company, serving the electrical installation, technical support, and troubleshooting needs of business clients.  Betty ultimately retired from the Avery Dennison Company, where she assisted business clients with the procurement of goods needed to keep their companies operating smoothly and the resolution of issues that threatened the timely achievement of that goal.

She was a master at problem solving, always spoke her mind, and had a bias for action.  She never liked being in the limelight, but often ended up at the center of making the right things happen.  She was counted upon by many and strove to never let anyone down.  In her free time, Betty enjoyed Motown, Gospel Music, and dancing.  She was a competitive bowler who enjoyed traveling and winning.  Later in life, she most enjoyed cooking from scratch, creating new dishes, spending time with family, and spoiling her great grandkids.

She loved unconditionally and was unconditionally loved.

To have her in your corner was a gift that never stopped giving.

She will always be Forever Loved . . .

Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are husband Roland Arter, daughters Donna Owens (Ricky), Danita Palmer, Robin Martin, and Traci Palmer; seven grandchildren Tenell, Darius, Candiss, Brianna, Tracina, Dilan, and Braxton; ten great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.