Betty Ann Arragg's Obituary
On July 17, 2026, Betty Ann Arragg, at the age of 89, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to be with our Lord and Savior. From an early age, Betty preferred her middle name, and her preference stayed with her for all her remaining years. Ann was born August 20, 1936 to John “Jack” and Elizabeth Ellen Eddy in Everett, Massachusetts and was the youngest of three children. She was a woman of great faith, strength, joy and love who touched the lives of everyone who knew her and even those who didn't.
Ann married the love of her life, Ron, on August 5, 1961. Together they shared 63 magnificent years building a family full of faith, love, and laughter. Ann was a dedicated mother to Suzanne, Kimberlee and Ron Jr., and a devoted grandmother to Michael, Christopher, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rachel, Thomas, Andrei and Philip. She was also a cherished great-grandmother to Peyton, Aubrey, Jack, Haley, and recently Gracie. Ann showed great fervor, spirit and commitment to her family, raising them to know Christ.
Growing up, Ann looked up to her brother, Hubert and sister Edith. She played the cello in the high school orchestra, “walking miles in the snow” to and from rehearsals. After graduating from Everett High School in 1954, she attended Salem Teachers College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught at Winthrop Elementary School until August 1961, when she and Ron relocated to Ventura, California, where she taught second grade at Elmhurst Elementary School. Ann’s passion for teaching young children never stopped. After a teaching “sabbatical” to raise her three children, she returned to Loma Vista School, where she started a special education class for young preschoolers. In subsequent years, she became a substitute teacher for the Ventura Unified School District until she was finally "recruited" to become a Kindergarten teacher at Ventura Missionary School. At VMS, she remained committed to sharing the love of Christ, creativity, and going the extra mile to ensure the children had enough supplies and to creating beautiful bulletin boards that were changed repeatedly throughout the school year, whether seasonal or instructional. Over her 25 years at VMS, she taught first and second grade, and for one year, fifth grade. But her heart remained dedicated to 7- and 8-year-olds. Even after her retirement, she continued to tutor children in reading, math and English. Until her last weeks of life here on Earth, she voiced her desire to educate children. She treated her profession as a ministry.
As a child, Ann attended Glendale Methodist Church with her family. She sang in the church choir and participated in youth groups. But while attending a Baptist youth group with one of her best friends, she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at age 14. Ann remained committed to worship, service within the church, and women’s Bible studies. Her love of God’s word was evident in her faithful attendance at a church Bible study or Bible Study Fellowship. Ann was also very involved in church. Outside of attending Bible study, she sang in the choir, held leadership positions, and served as a deaconess and later as head deaconess at Ventura Jubilee Fellowship. Ann had the gift of hospitality, always encouraging small-group gatherings in her home for prayer or Bible study.
Ann loved to entertain. She always enjoyed having friends and family over for holidays or ‘just because’. Her passion was making exquisite desserts, especially her lemon meringue pie, and making sure she had everyone's favorite at the holiday meal.
Her life imbued with faith, family devotion, hospitality to all, and service to her community remains indelibly in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten because we have hope and peace knowing he is rejoicing in heaven with our Lord and Savior.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to the Assisted Home & Hospice team and the Generations Program staff at The Palms at Bonaventure. They cared for our mother with extraordinary love, dignity, and compassion. She felt blessed by the loving, compassionate care, and she never missed an opportunity to express her appreciation for all they did. Their devotion and kindness will remain forever in our hearts.
To all who walked alongside our family on this journey, thank you. Your love, prayers, devotion, and generosity of spirit will always be remembered with profound gratitude.
Ann is survived by her three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Effie Mallen and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ann’s life will be held on August 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Ventura Jubilee Fellowship, located at 1956 Palma Drive Suite A, Ventura, CA 93003. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ventura Jubilee Fellowship.
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