Betty Jeannette Deaver Abbott passed away on October 7, 2023 at the age of 85 with family by her side in her longtime home of Charlottesville, VA. Betty was a beloved sister, aunt, and friend to many, always with a witty remark and beautiful smile.

Betty was born on May 20, 1938, the second daughter of James Roy and Martha Pearl (Chandler) Deaver of Asheville, North Carolina. The family later moved to Newport News, VA in 1948, where Betty spent much of her early life and career, including graduating from Kee Business College. She later lived across the country, from Dallas, TX and Blacksburg, VA to her final, and favorite home, Charlottesville. Betty moved to Charlottesville in the early 1970s and spent many years working for the City of Charlottesville as the Chief Deputy Commissioner of Revenue.

From her childhood, Betty cherished her relationship with her sisters, Grace and Eva, and the three remained inseparable despite any physical distance that kept them apart. Between weekly, hours-long phone calls, inside jokes, and unshakeable confidence in one another, Grace, Betty, and Eva will always be sisters together forever in their shared bond.

Betty was an avid reader and writer throughout her life and valued the power of words to express her thoughts, feelings, and experiences. She was talented with her hands and spent many years creating beautiful needlework of all kinds for family and friends, from crochet and knitting, to sewing and cross-stitching. Betty loved to listen to music, was an avid cook, lover of chocolate, and always valued being able to spend time with her family.

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her sister Eva Deaver Hinds of Newport News; brother-in-law Bobby Kessler of Yorktown; uncle Donald Chandler (Marietta) of Weaverville, NC; numerous nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. Betty is preceded in death by her father and mother James Roy Deaver and Martha Pearl Chandler and her sister Grace Deaver Kessler.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Rosewood Village-Hollymead Assisted Living in Charlottesville for their dedicated love and care of Betty during the final years of her life.

Private graveside services will be held on October 12, 2023 at Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty's memory to the Innovations Memory Care Program at Rosewood Village or the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA.