NASCAR’s First Lady was honored Thursday by family and fans alike. Betty Jane France passed away Monday at age 78.
- Betty Jane France honored Thursday
- Considered the First Lady of NASCAR
- Remembered for her charitable works
France was a leader in the community and many remembered her as a comforting person.
“When you came into the room, she made you feel like you were the only person in the room,” said Jeff Feasle, president of Halifax Hospital. “She was just very, very down to Earth and very comforting.”
“The thing about Betty Jane that pulled you to her was her warmness and that's the part you will miss,” said NASCAR Vice-Chairman Mike Helton.
Helton was one of the hundreds of France’s good friends who paid their respects at a church Thursday.
“That speaks to how many different folks from walks of life that she embraced, that she contributed to and wanted to help,” Helton said.
Some of those great contributions included her work with women and children and giving to various charitable organizations.
Feasle said she constantly helped to raise money for the only pediatrics units in both Flagler and Volusia counties.
“But it goes far beyond that with Betty Jane. The tremendous work she's done with the NASCAR Foundation, so many kids that she's helped,” Feasle said.
And that's how she will be remembered — a woman of many accolades, improving the NASCAR industry while also being a stellar community champion.
“My hope is all of us take it very serious the lessons we learned from Betty Jane and perpetuate it in her honor and her name and her wishes,” Helton said.