Betty Jean Jarman

Betty Jean Jarman entered the world on May 7, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, during a transformative period in American history. Born as Betty Jean Poree to Geraldine Grove Woodson and Curtis J. Poree, Jr., her early childhood unfolded in circumstances that would profoundly shape her understanding of family and resilience. Rather than being raised by her parents, Betty was placed in the care of her great aunt during her infancy, an arrangement that lasted until she reached nine years of age, when she was reunited with her birth mother.

This early experience of separation and reunion created a particular sensitivity to family bonds that would characterize Betty's entire adult life. Her extended family in Chicago included several maternal relatives who remained close throughout her years, including aunts Valerie "Nooney Baby" Grove and Elizabeth Grove. Among her many cousins was Gary Anderson of Chicago, with whom Betty developed an extraordinarily close bond, speaking by telephone twice daily throughout their adult lives until his death in February 2005.

Betty's educational journey began at South Shore High School in Chicago, where she completed her secondary education. The school, known for its Tars mascot and kelly green and royal blue colors, served the South Shore neighborhood during the mid-twentieth century. Following high school, Betty pursued additional training at Chicago Professional College Advanced Typing School, developing clerical skills that would serve her throughout her career. Most significantly, she graduated from Professional Beauty & Barber School as a licensed hairdresser in 1982, representing a substantial commitment to professional skill development in the beauty industry.

Betty's adult life became inextricably connected to Larry D. Jarman, whom she married and supported through thirty-five years of devoted military family life. Larry served briefly in the United States Army from 1974 to 1976, achieving honorable discharge status, though Betty identified herself as a "devoted Army wife" throughout their marriage. Their union produced four children: daughter Nichole Jefferson and sons Poree D. Jarman, Larry D. Jarman, Jr., and Marcus G. Jarman.

In Chicago, Betty built a remarkable career that spanned multiple industries. She established herself as a hostess over twenty-seven years and owned a small business, demonstrating both professional dedication and entrepreneurial initiative. Beyond her professional pursuits, Betty maintained active involvement in Chicago's vibrant cultural scene. She possessed vocal talents and performed as a singer with a local band during her youth, drawing inspiration from jazz legends Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington. Most notably, Betty participated as a dancer on Soul Train during its Chicago era in the early 1970s, connecting her to a pivotal moment in African American cultural history when the show was broadcast live from WCIU-TV before its national syndication.

The most significant transition in Betty's life occurred in 2001, when she made the courageous decision to relocate her entire family from Chicago to Connecticut. The obituary explicitly states this move was undertaken "with courage and selflessness" to "protect her family," indicating serious circumstances requiring geographic separation. Betty grew to love Connecticut and found "freedom from fear for her husband and sons' well-being," suggesting the relocation successfully achieved its protective purpose.

After establishing residence in Connecticut, Betty demonstrated remarkable adaptability in rebuilding her professional life. She found employment at the Veterans Administration facility in West Haven, where she forged a lasting friendship with colleague Mae Brown. She subsequently worked for the Better Business Bureau and as a mortgage processor at Avistar Mortgage Co., before accepting a part-time position as a clerk typist for the City of New Haven Board of Education. Betty concluded her career at Lincoln-Bassett Community School in New Haven, where she became beloved by students who affectionately called her "Ma," reflecting the maternal warmth she extended beyond her own family.

Throughout her marriage, Betty remained deeply devoted to Larry until his death on July 12, 2008, at Yale-New Haven Hospital at the age of fifty-seven. His passing left Betty in widowhood for nearly eighteen years, during which she focused increasingly on her expanding family network. Her four children established their own families, creating a multigenerational legacy of nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who became the focus of Betty's devotion in her later years.

In her final years, Betty embraced her identity as "a homebody who adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren." She maintained her Christian faith as a central organizing principle throughout her life, finding spiritual grounding in religious practice and belief. Betty continued to find joy in music and dance, particularly enjoying dancing with her mother Geraldine, her aunt "Nooney Baby," and various cousins, maintaining cultural traditions and intergenerational bonding.

Betty Jean Jarman passed away on March 26, 2026, at the age of seventy-five, concluding a life characterized by resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to family wellbeing. Her memorial service was held at Washington Memorial Funeral Home in North Haven, Connecticut, celebrating a life that spanned geographic boundaries, professional challenges, and multiple generations of family love. Betty's legacy persists through her four adult children, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and the countless students and colleagues whose lives were touched by her caring presence and maternal spirit.