Betty Ann Heard

Betty Ann Heard

Betty was born on May 13, 1945 to the late John and Florence Marshall. Betty moved from labor to reward in the

evening at home with her family surrounding her on May 22, 2024 to join eternal paradise.

Betty was born in Newark, NJ where she was educated and attended Robert Treat Junior High and Central High

School. There she completed her High School Diploma. After high school Betty began to take night courses at Essex

County College during her work career at Western Electric in Kearny, New Jersey. She later took her Bell telephone

system training to AT&T in Piscataway, New Jersey only to run and manage one of the largest data centers in NJ

until she retired. However, she returned to the corporate world and accepted a position with Franklin township public

library in Somerset, where she remained until she retired for the second time.

Fifty-four years ago. She married the man of her life Mr. Rea Heard Jr. aka “BoJack”. They married in 1970. During

their union they moved from Newark in 1978 and found a home in Linden, 10 years later would they find the home of

their dreams in Somerset NJ in 1988, Betty love to read and she was an advocate seamstress, during these years

you could sometimes find her sewing fabrics for others at her home. She was also a pet lover of dogs not just any

dog but her beloved (Boxer) where she raised 4 of them over the years. Mateuse, Sinbad, Sugar Ray and

Muhammed Ali. They loved her and she loved them dearly.

Betty was full of love, laughter, and resilience, she touched the lives of all who knew her. Betty liked to travel with her

husband and good friends Perry and Alverta on occasion, she also loved spending time with Brenda Hatton (Davis),

Regina Howard and Besties, Sandra Grant and Willa Bell Williford. Betty certainly made her mark in this world setting

her own path. Especially when she decided to turn her life over to God where she was baptized and attended First

Baptist Church at Lincoln Gardens in Somerset in 1997. Here she was a part of so many fellowships and boards and

even went to Africa with the church and visited many youths’ organization in need by giving support and awareness

especially to the Good News Home for Women in Flemington NJ, as well as the Harvest of Hope where she was

awarded a certificate for her work with the church.

Betty also was a die-hard Tennis fan and her love for the “William Sisters” was unparalleled. She attended

Wimbledon in London and was frequently present at several US Open matches just to watch them play. If tennis was

on TV, we could here BoJack asking Betty do you have to have tennis on every tv in the house? She would be so

nervous during finals that she would record all the matches because she could not bring herself to watch them if the

William sisters was struggling to win, but she still needed control of the television when tennis was on.

Betty fell ill to Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. But, as she battled this disease, she was cared for until God called her

home on May 22, 2024. Betty is proceeded in death by her husband Rea C. Heard Jr (BOJACK)., her parents John

and Florence Marshall, five siblings Richard, Thomas, Paul, Bernard, Alice and Beatrice.

Betty is survived by two of nine siblings, Clarence Marshall sister-in-law Carol, William Marshall; sisters-in-law,

Jeannie; her Son Rodney Johnson wife (Shelley), nephew Malik Lyons wife (Barbara) niece Tauheedah, 5

grandchildren Brooke, Marquis, Terence (TJ), Rodney Jr., and babygirl Aliyahh, 9 great grandchildren and a host of

nieces and nephews.

“Betty” will be remembered and cherished by all whom she touched in life on earth. Her love and faith for family and

friends will remain in our hearts eternally.

Submitted With Love, The Family