Firstborn daughter and eldest child of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, remembered as a devoted Muslim, leader of women, farmer, protector and servant
CHICAGO—Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan was remembered Sept. 25 as a devoted Muslim, protector, leader of women and cultivator of the earth whose decades of service touched family, the Nation of Islam and the next generation she helped prepare to carry the work forward.
Family, friends, believers and prominent supporters filled Mosque Maryam, the National Center of the Nation of Islam, to honor the firstborn daughter and eldest child of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan. Sister Betsy Jean returned to Allah (God) on Sept. 18.
Before the tributes began, photographs of Sister Betsy Jean with family, friends and dignitaries moved across a screen as loved ones embraced and members of the Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) stood on post at her casket. Her official obituary, which was read aloud by family members, distilled her life into six words: “Mother. Protector. Warrior. Daughter. Sister. Faithful.”
Student Minister Ishmael R. Muhammad, National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, reflected on her life and the faith sustaining a family that has endured several recent losses.
“She was our princess,” Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad said. “And she was a queen in her own right.” During his remarks with Minister Farrakhan sitting off to his right listening, Student Minister Ishmael placed the family’s recent losses within a broader spiritual context, recalling what Islamic history describes as Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) “year of sorrow,” when the Prophet lost two of his closest supporters, his wife and uncle. He said the series of losses experienced by the Farrakhan family and the Nation of Islam had brought them to a significant moment in time.
Student Min. Ishmael connected Sister Betsy Jean’s transition to a pivotal moment in Minister Farrakhan’s history, noting that she returned to Allah on Sept. 18—between the Sept. 17 anniversary of Minister Farrakhan’s 1985 More-Than-A-Vision Experience on The Wheel and the Sept. 19 anniversary of the Mexico City earthquake that he said brought the experience of that vision back to his consciousness. Student Minister Ishmael said the timing carried significance for the Nation of Islam and those who study its theological history
Following an opening prayer, remarks, the reading of the obituary and words of comfort, Student National Imam Sultan Rahman Muhammad led the Salat-ul-Janazah, the Islamic prayer service for the deceased.
One observation drew immediate applause and captured a theme echoed throughout the day: “She didn’t talk Islam. She lived it.”
Sister Betsy Jean was born Feb. 15, 1954, in Boston to Betsy and Louis Eugene Walcott, who later became Mother Khadijah Farrakhan and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. According to the obituary prepared for the service, she was raised as her parents embraced the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and committed themselves to the work and mission of the Nation of Islam.
The obituary, read in portions by Sister Betsy Jean’s granddaughter and nieces, described a childhood shaped by discipline, sacrifice, responsibility and love, along with a protective nature that appeared early.
Around 1960, while her father performed “Look at My Chains” at Symphony Hall in Boston, he appeared onstage bound in chains. Young Betsy Jean, believing her father was actually in danger, rose from her seat, leading her sisters trying to reach him to free him before their mother stopped them and explained that it was part of the performance.
That instinct to protect followed her into adulthood. In April 1972, when the temple (as it was called then) in New York was attacked, the obituary recounts that Sister Betsy Jean, then about 18, placed herself between danger and younger Muhammad University of Islam students and elderly women, helping move them to safety.
Years later, that protective spirit would be expressed through leadership in the Nation of Islam.
In December 1988, Minister Farrakhan appointed his eldest daughter as his first National Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class Captain. Sister Betsy Jean served as National M.G.T. & G.C.C. Captain until 1992, helping establish a national structure for training women in education, organization, homemaking, health, physical development, protection and other aspects of Nation-building. She continued counseling and training women after her tenure ended.
Minister Farrakhan described his eldest daughter as “very tender but very strong, very loving but a warrior.”
His reflections also revealed the family relationships behind decades of public history. He spoke about marriage, music, sacrifice and the bonds that held the Farrakhan family together. “We produce children. But we produce a family,” Minister Farrakhan said.
Sister Betsy Jean married Brother Maurice O’Neal in June 1987, beginning what the obituary described as a lifelong partnership of love, sacrifice and service. Brother Maurice supported her through her work in the Nation of Islam and her agricultural mission. “She was my backbone,” he said in the obituary.
Agriculture eventually became one of the most visible chapters of Sister Betsy Jean’s service. At her father’s request, she participated in Will Allen’s Growing Power Sustainable Food Training Program, where she learned about healthy soil and organic food production. She and Brother Maurice later helped cultivate the Nation of Islam’s farm in Michigan, turning land into productive acreage that yielded navy beans, vegetables and other fresh food.
Her work extended beyond producing crops. She wanted others to know how to grow food for themselves.
On July 25-26, 2015, Sister Betsy Jean helped organize the first Michigan Farm Agricultural Workshop at the New Buffalo farm. Participants ranging from novice gardeners to experienced farmers received hands-on instruction.
“We’re going to teach you how to grow, even out of a bucket,” Sister Betsy Jean told participants, according to the obituary. She later helped turn knowledge developed at the farm into a sustainable farming manual that taught composting, soil preparation, crop production and other techniques communities could use to grow food.
On Feb. 19, 2016, during Saviours’ Day, the Nation of Islam Ministry of Agriculture honored Sister Betsy Jean with its inaugural Farmer of the Year Award. “I thank Allah for the opportunity and for my father showing me the way,” she said. “I took up farming and absolutely fell in love with it.”
That work stood out to Santita Jackson, daughter of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who came to honor someone she regarded not simply as a member of a prominent family but as a sister. “I love her with all of my heart,” Ms. Jackson told The Final Call, describing Sister Betsy Jean as a beacon for her generation. “She taught us how to be a big sister. She taught us how to honor our parents, as well as how to honor a whole nation.”
Ms. Jackson also remembered Sister Betsy Jean’s devotion to people, including her willingness to till the soil and feed others. She said the best way to honor her was by loving God, family, the earth and one another.
For longtime activist and supporter Afrika Porter, yet another quality stood out: Sister Betsy Jean’s ability to accept people without making them feel judged. “She accepted people for who they were, and she wasn’t judgy,” Ms. Porter told The Final Call.
Ms. Porter, who said she had known Sister Betsy Jean virtually her entire life through the relationship between their families, remembered how comfortable she made others feel despite being part of a family known throughout the world. “She received everybody as who they were and let everybody feel very welcome and very comfortable,” Ms. Porter said.
Hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh said his connection to the Farrakhan family made attending an act of family support. He remembered Sister Betsy Jean as a “powerful sister.”
“I wanted to make sure that they know that we care, and we appreciate who she always will be,” he told The Final Call. “When family has something like this happen, nobody’s got to tell you to show up, you just show up.”
During the Janazah, Student Minister Ishmael reflected on the Islamic understanding that life has a fixed term and that death comes by Allah’s permission. He compared Sister Betsy Jean’s legacy to the light of stars that continues to reach the earth after they are gone. “Her life will continue to shine,” he said.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, standing before his daughter’s casket, thanked those who came to the service to pay their respects to “this wonderful soldier and servant of Allah.”
“As I sat there listening, I was overwhelmed, Brother Ishmael, because I saw what Khadijah and I have worked so hard for, for all the years of our Islamic life. And to know that we had produced children; that we had produced a family that loved Allah, Who Came in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad and we love His Messenger-Messiah, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad! And that love Elijah Muhammad saw when He visited me as a young Minister in Boston, Massachusetts,” Minister Farrakhan said as the audience stood and applauded.
Minister Farrakhan later asked for members of the Farrakhan and Muhammad families to stand. “We would not be a family and have a family if it were not for the Muhammad family. Mother Clara Muhammad was my second mother and I will never forget her as long as there is breath in my body,” Minister Farrakhan said, referring to the wife of his Teacher, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
At the conclusion of the Janazah service, the program turned to “Passing of the Mints: Lasting Sweet Memories,” followed by a ceremonial final salute and honor guard procession.
Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan is survived by her father, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan; her husband, Bro. Maurice Farrakhan, her son Bro. Anwar; her step-daughters, Sis. Martina and Sis. Monifa (Bro. Kevin); granddaughters, Sis. Yamani (Bro. Jasbir) and Sis. Anori and her siblings: Sis. Maria (Bro. Alif), Sis. Donna, Student Supreme Captain Mustapha, Sis. Fatima (Bro. Kamal), Sis. Khallada, Bro. Abnar (Sis. Toni), Sis. Kyona, Bro. Wali, Sis. Samida (Bro. Ishmail), Bro. Khalifah, Sis. Alia (Bro. Ismail), Bro. Muddathir (Sis. Saffiyyah), Sis. Jaleela (Bro. Jihad), Bro. Yasin and Bro. Hakeem (Sis. Aliyah). She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan (May Allah be pleased with her); her brothers, Bro. Louis Jr. and Bro. Joshua, her sister-in-law, Sis. Karen, and her nieces, Sis. Melia and Sis. Nejlah.
More reflections on a life well lived
Sentiments and support for the Farrakhan family and Nation of Islam poured in from all over the world in honor of Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan. Family, supporters and friends gathered after the Janazah and interment, at the Salaam Restaurant to fellowship and reflect.
Addressing those who gathered at The Salaam, Minister Farrakhan described the day as “a big day.” He spoke lovingly of his eldest child, referring to her as “my number one,” and describing her as “a real love child,” of himself and his wife, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan.
“She loved her daddy,” Minister Farrakhan said, of Sister Betsy Jean.
Long-time family friend Gina Davis reflected on fond memories of Betsy Jean. “One thing about Betsy Jean is that she made us feel like we were family. Betsy Jean was beautiful both on the inside and outside, and you can tell that she genuinely loved people. I will never forget her smile. Her smile represented to me, that of love and joy,” she said.
Bro. Reginald Muhammad shared memories of his time laboring with Sister Betsy Jean at the Michigan Farm. “I labored at the farm from 2007 until 2014, and Sister Betsy Jean was very meticulous about completing a task and following the instructions of her father. Sister Betsy Jean and her husband, Brother Maurice were truly the vanguard for working and growing the farm, we must show gratitude to them both.”
Sister Ruquiyah Rahman, daughter of legendary Nation of Islam pioneer, Minister Abdul Rahman Muhammad told The Final Call, “Sister Betsy Jean lived and died as a soldier on her post. She was still organizing up to her last breath, doing everything she could to ensure the farmer’s market was going to continue without her being physically present. She worked tirelessly for the Nation of Islam, and we are blessed to have had her this long. We must continue her work, and she inspired so many people within the Nation of Islam and many people around the world to become farmers.”
For Student Minister Abdul Rasul Muhammad, General Manager of The Final Call, he stated,“Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan blessed me to affectionately call her ‘Big Sis’ and she never denied me that honor. She was a loving, caring, consistent, strong and a no-nonsense M.G.T. and G.C.C. who sacrificed her entire life in the cause of truth. Her word was her bond, and she loved to share her wisdom with any who would lend her an ear,” he told The Final Call.
When you gave her your word regarding a task or an assignment, she expected perfection and that your word was your bond. She would literally ask you if your word was your bond. I did my absolute best to never disappoint her and when I was able to please her by keeping my word, she made me feel like a superstar because her genuine appreciation and her genuine love was so pure,” he continued. Our dear Betsy Jean Farrakhan is gone from among us physically, but she will never ever, ever, ever be forgotten, because we simply will not permit that to happen with the grace, power and the strength of Allah (God).”
To view the Janazah service of Sister Betsy Jean Farrakhan in its entirety, visit watch.noi.org.
Final Call Contributing Writer Shawntell Muhammad contributed to this report.
