Betty Mae Castleberry

Betty Mae Castleberry was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Willie Lee Taylor and James Goodman on March 16, 1949. The eldest of eight
children, caring for those around her came naturally. A born nurturer, Betty enjoyed assisting those in need and decided to gain certification in nursing. Spending her entire career as a licensed nurse, Betty worked until
retirement at Glencrest Nursing Home located in Chicago. She thoroughly enjoyed her patients and co-workers, and after dedicating many years to the nursing home, they became an extension of her family. With a love for finer things, you could always count on Betty to show up dressed to impress. She also enjoyed home décor and was the only woman who could take a red furniture set and set it off with red carpet and wallpaper. If you ever visited her home, you knew she had exquisite taste. It was magazine worthy. Betty was also the life of the party and loved to host in-home gatherings and loved to entertain and be amongst those she loved. Post retirement, Betty could often be found spending time with her siblings and cousins listening to music, playing cards, and reminiscing about the good old days growing up on the westside of Chicago.
In earlier years, Betty married Carmelo Jurado, and through that union her only daughter, Carmelita, was born. Betty loved to spend time with those she loved, especially her granddaughters, Jalaea and Jelle, who, in addition to her daughter Carmelita, were her pride and joy. Betty also shared a very special relationship with her niece and goddaughter, Tammy, whom she helped to raise and remained close to. In later years, after the loss of Carmelo, she remarried Henry Castleberry.
Betty was called home to Glory on December 3, 2022, at 1:49 AM. She was surrounded by love during her final moments. Loved by many, Betty will be missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Lee Taylor and James Goodman; stepfather, George Kirkpatrick; sisters, Gloria Kirkpatrick and Joyce Mitten; brothers, Roy Taylor, Sr., and Willie James Kirkpatrick; aunt, Willie Mae Logan; and husband, Carmelo Jurado.
Betty leaves to cherish her loving memories: her daughter, Carmelita Landers (Tommie); sisters, Wilma Logan (Arnold), Kathy Kirkpatrick, and Rita Kirkpatrick; brothers, Kenneth Kirkpatrick and Ronald Cobbin, Sr. (Debra); granddaughters, Jalaea and J’elle Jurado; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers. A special place is etched in Betty’s memory for her cousin, Doris Ivy, who took special care of her in illness, and nieces, Latisha Logan and Adrianne Woods, whom she adored.

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