Bettye Bubenzer Rhea

Bettye Bubenzer Rhea, a lifelong resident of Shreveport, passed away Sunday morning, July 2, 2026, from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Mrs. Rhea was born on October 24, 1923, in Rochester, New York. She was the daughter of Marion Christian Bubenzer from Bunkie, Louisiana, and Kaletah McDonald Bubenzer from Ruston, Louisiana. She was a graduate of Byrd High School and of LSU, where she graduated in 1944 with a degree in Romance Languages. She was a member of Chi Omega Sorority, Delta Gamma Delta Sorority, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. In 1961, Bettye married John Love Rhea, Jr. of Shreveport, LA. They lived in Shreveport for the remainder of their lives.

Bettye was an active member of the Shreveport-Bossier Junior League. She was especially dedicated to First Methodist Church in Shreveport, which she loved above all.

Bettye was blessed with many friends, among those her dearly loved “Les Girls.” These friendships that were formed in high school and later college became lifelong friendships, cherished and celebrated well into their 90’s. Bettye was a loyal friend.

She will be remembered for her grace, beauty, thoughtfulness, and kindness.

Bettye was preceded in death by her husband, John Love Rhea, Jr., and sister-in-law, Virginia Rhea of Little Rock, AR.

She is survived by cousins, Harriet Cann Martin, and husband, Litt of Shreveport, LA, Greg Holland Batte, and wife, Kay of Shreveport, LA, and Stephen and Tammy Batte. She is also survived by her nieces, Patricia Railing of Forest Row, England, and Nancy Rathborne of New Orleans, LA; nephews, Randy Rhea of Little Rock, AR, and Ronnie Fowler of Coppell, TX; great-nieces, Ashley Bowling of Austin, TX, and Lauren Huray of Louisville, KY; friend and assistant, Mary Guthrie of Shreveport, LA; goddaughter, Sue Whitaker Authement of Cordova, TN; and friend, Mary Anne Whitaker of Bossier, LA.

The family wishes to express special thanks to her caregivers, Lillie Long, Natasha Bryant, Bobbie Cooper, and Jasmonique Jones, for many years of dedicated care and compassion. A special thank you to the nursing staff at The Blake for years of care and attention.