Betty Nira Dowling

Betty Nira Halbrook Dowling, 92, passed peacefully on December 5, 2025, after a long and full life. She was born on November 13, 1933, in Alachua, Florida.

Betty was the first child of Joyce and Leonard Halbrook, who later welcomed two more children- her sister, Joy Elrod, and her brother, Chuck Halbrook. She also had two older half-siblings, Mae Barnes Rowland and Phillip Barnes, from her mother’s first marriage to William Barnes, who was tragically killed in a car accident. The entire blended family made their home on the 140-acre tobacco farm, where they lived together with Leonard’s mother, Sarah Halbrook, and his son, Leo.

Life on the farm was full and busy. Leonard served as the postmaster in Santa Fe, Florida, and the family worked the land, growing tobacco, tending a big garden, and raising cows. Betty spent her childhood playing with the farmhands’ children and soaking in the rhythms of country life. When she was just sixteen, her father passed away from a stroke, and her mother took over the postmaster duties while continuing to raise all five children.

After high school, Betty began working for Prudential Insurance Company in Jacksonville, Fl. She had met the love of her life, Albert Ray Dowling, years earlier when she was in ninth grade. Albert, originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, had moved to Alachua to help his aunt and uncle on their farm before serving four years in the Navy. The two married on April 10, 1955, and settled at Jacksonville Beach.

Betty and Albert built a beautiful life together, raising four children: Becky, born in 1956; Ray, born in 1957; Steve, born in 1960; and Jeanne, born in 1962. Over the years, the family lived in Jacksonville Beach, Windy Hills, and Cedar Hills. Then they built a home on Shindler Drive on five acres. In 1983 they decided to move to her family’s land in Alachua, building a home on twenty-six acres of the old Halbrook farm where she grew up. They also made lifelong memories at their lake place in Keystone Heights—where friends and family were always welcome to ski, fish, and just enjoy being together.

After Albert retired from the Jacksonville Fire Department, they renovated a home in Fleming Island, where they could be closer to their children and great- grandchildren where they lived until Albert’s passing in 2012. Albert and Betty were married for 57 years. Betty remained in their Fleming Island home until 2022, when she moved into assisted living.

In addition to being primarily a homemaker Betty had several jobs which included teaching kindergarten at Cedar Hills Baptist Church for seven years, working at Cloth World, substitute teaching in Alachua County schools and later becoming part-owner of a florist shop in High Springs doing what she loved which was arranging flowers.

Throughout her life, Betty poured her heart into her family, her work, and her church. She played a significant role in her Senior Adult ministry at Hibernia Baptist Church, often decorating for parties and special events.

Betty adored her grandchildren and loved having them visit the farm, and happily letting them ride on tractors, fishing in the pond, and making memories of country life. Betty loved the beach and all the years the family gathered for a week of fun at a St. Augustine condominium. She was the first one awake to watch the beautiful beach sunrises. She enjoyed walking on the beach and collecting shells and watching her grandchildren play.

Betty also adored visiting and playing with her ten great-grandchildren.

And if you ever visited Betty, you did not leave hungry. She loved cooking country food and sending you home with something—usually more than you could carry.

Betty leaves behind a legacy of love, hospitality, hard work, and deep devotion to her family.

Becky Dowling Davidson (Terry) Grandchildren: Andy (Samantha) — Great-grandchildren: Margaret and Dale Jacob (Emily) Davidson — Great-grandchildren: Olivia and Julia

Albert Ray Dowling Jr. (Darlene) Grandchildren: Carol-Anne and Austin Dowling

Steven Dowling (Cyndi) Grandchildren: Tyler (Rachel) Great-grandchildren: Jaxtyn, Kamdyn, Kasyn, and Caelyn Parker Dowling

Jeanne Dowling Johns Grandchildren: Garrett (Catherine) — Great-grandchildren: Charlotte and Grayson Julia Johns (Tyler)

Betty’s life was marked by love, strength, and deep devotion to her husband Albert, her four children, her eight grandchildren and her ten great grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she blessed.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty on Thursday December 11, 2025 at 11:00am at Hibernia Baptist Church, 7100 US-17, Fleming Island, Fl. Visitation will be from 10:00am until 11:00am.

Reverend Scott Yirka will officiate the service and Terry Davidson will conduct the graveside service located at North Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 25330 NW Country Road 239, Alachua, Fl at 3:00pm.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Andy Davidson, Jacob Davidson, Austin Dowling, Tyler Dowling, Parker Dowling, and Garrett Johns.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Hibernia Baptist Church building fund.

Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve Betty's family during this time. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuenralhome.com