Betty Jeanne (Clarke) Battista

Betty Jeanne Clarke Battista, age 76, passed away at her residence surrounded by family on Monday, April 24, 2023. The family will receive friends from 2:00pm until 3:00pm in Temple Free Will Baptist on Saturday, April 29th. A funeral service will follow the visitation in the church at 3:00pm, with burial following in Grove Hill Cemetery.

Betty was born on July 31, 1946 in Camden, New Jersey to the late Howard Wesley Clarke and Jean Friddell Clarke. She worked as a florist for many years and was also a registered clown known as "Lollipop". Betty had a love for children, especially her twenty-two foster children. She took great pride and joy in caring for them. She loved her family dearly and loved people, always helping anyone she could. She was a member of Temple Free Will Baptist Church.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, Augustino "Gus" Battista, children: Lisa Lemon of Elgin, Michael (Melissa) Battista of Orlando, FL, Gina Inman of Florence, Kara (Bernerd "B.J.") Wyndham of Darlington, Angela Doyle of Columbia, and Jennie (Donald) Troxell, of New Jersey. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Corey and James Clarke of Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Temple Free Will Baptist Church 1660 North Governor Williams Hwy, Darlington, SC 29540 or St. Jude Children Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN  38105.