Bettie Jean West was born on January 16th, 1948 to Mack and Adline Yarbrough in Clarksdale,
Mississippi she was the youngest of her (11) siblings.
Bettie West was a highly intelligent woman, she was the first African American to be integrated into
Clarksdale High School alongside her cousin. During High-School she was a member of the NAACP.
She marched often and was even arrested for the cause to change the world she lived in. She
graduated from Malcom X College in Chicago, IL. After completing college she worked as an
Healthcare Administrator, and many other endeavors. Bettie cared for people with special needs, and
was an educator. Her best work of all however was educating all of her children and grandchildren.
She spent the well needed time to help all of her children excel.
Bettie moved to Chicago where she married the love of her life Richard West on September 16th, 1967.
They enjoyed 54yrs together in marriage. Out of their marriage they bore (4) kids: Rickey, Lucretia,
Lamont and Niolani West.
Bettie's parents Mack and Adline Yarbrough, husband Richard West, son Lamont West,
Grandson Charlie, and (7) of her siblings: Pearlie, Abraham, Jimmie, Mackie,
Nancy, Carlester and Charles all precede her in death.
Bettie leaves to cherish her (3) of her children: Rickey, Lucretia and Niolani West (12)
Grandchildren: Demarko, Louis, Dominique, Eddy, Lamont, Aniessa, David, Sikina, Isaiah, Neonte,
and Ezekiel, (13) Great-Grandchildren, (3) living siblings: Joe-Henry (Mississippi), Lawrence
(Memphis) and Gertrude Yarbrough (Memphis).
Bettie had many hobbies she enjoyed. She loved playing cards, walking for fitness, playing the lottery,
going to the racetrack, going to the casino in particular "The Boat", taking road trips with her family,
watching the news, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune as she relaxed at home with family. It goes
without saying she loved taking care of all of her children, her grand-children and her
great-grandchildren with all that she had no matter what we've gotten ourselves into.
The most important thing there is to know about Bettie is that she believed in Jesus as her savior. She
had a clear comprehension of what awaited her on the other side of this life before leaving here. She is
now reunited with her husband, son, parents and many more that she knew and loved while she was
here. She is now in the presence of the author and finisher of her faith. She is, and will forever be
greatly missed by us here on earth until we all see her again. Don't pity her, she's where she belongs
enjoying eternal life. What she believed, now she beholds.