Betty Lou Gyovai

Betty Gyovai, 77 years old, of Pensacola, Florida passed away on February 10, 2023, with her three children by her side. Betty was born on June 24, 1945 to McKinley and Josie Ward in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. She was the youngest of nine children. Betty is survived by her former husband Kenneth Gyovai of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and their children Vanessa (Joel) Michels of Portland, Oregon, Cindy (Tim) Tate of Pensacola, Florida, and Kenny Gyovai. She was a beloved Grammy to Julianna Tate, McKinley Tate, Thaddeus Tate, Leo Michels, and Toby Michels. After graduating from Clinton High School, in Clinton, Tennessee, she moved to Arlington, Virginia where she worked as a secretary for the federal government. When Betty had Vanessa, she became a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. Betty was a Master Gardener and volunteered at the cooperative extension in Henrico County, Virginia. She loved to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, especially roses. She could often be found outside working in her garden. She enjoyed baking and canning homegrown foods. When her children were older, she went back to work as a secretary at the Stafford County Planning Department in Stafford, Virginia. She enjoyed traveling to see her family in Tennessee and Ohio. She frequently visited Cindy in Pensacola, and relocated to Florida after retirement. In the summertimes, she visited Vanessa in Chico, California and Portland. She loved to go hiking in California, berry picking in Oregon and visiting the international rose garden in Portland. Kenny often traveled to Florida to spend time with her. She was very fond of Kenny’s dogs; Buddy, Lucky, and Dexter. Betty was a member of Gulf Coast Baptist Church in Cantonment, Florida. Betty was predeceased by her parents McKinley and Josie Ward, her brothers Theodore, Earl, Ancil David, Clyde, and Wayne Ward, and sister Rachel Burgess. She is survived by her brother Jess Ward of Clinton, Tennessee and sister Wilma Schnur of Elyria, Ohio. Internment is at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola with funeral services by Faith Chapel. Her family will hold a small, private graveside service in her honor, officiated by Pastor Daniel of Gulf Coast Baptist Church. Special thanks to the Residence Memory Care Center and Covenant Hospice for providing compassionate care for Betty in her final years. “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness” — William Arthur Ward. Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy., Pensacola, Florida 32505 entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

Tributes

Betty Lou Gyovai

June 24, 1945 - February 10, 2023