Basic Information
| Full Name | Sandra Jean Betts |
|---|---|
| Born | March 31, 1946 |
| Died | 1998–2014 |
| Birth Place | California |
| Residences | California, Maine, Minnesota |
| Relationship | Ray Charles (December 1962) |
| Children | Sheila Raye Charles, son with Frank Alan Smith |
| Career | None recorded |
| Notable Mentions | 1964 paternity suit featured in Jet Magazine |
Profile Overview
Sandra Jean Betts was born March 31, 1946 in California to Hughie Morgan and Sarah Ann Eagle. Records show her burial in Maine under the name Sandra Jean Betts Rowe, suggesting she died between 1998 and 2014. She later resided in Minnesota during her daughter’s upbringing.
Relationship with Ray Charles
In December 1962 Sandra Jean Betts entered a relationship with Ray Charles that resulted in the birth of their daughter, Sheila Raye Charles, in 1963. The ensuing paternity suit in 1964 confirmed Charles’s parentage.
Family & Children
| Name | Born | Relation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheila Raye Charles | 1963 | Daughter | Gospel singer and motivational speaker |
| Unnamed Son (alleged) | c. 1965 | Son | Possibly fathered by Frank Alan Smith |
Sheila overcame mental health and substance challenges through spiritual growth and built a career in gospel music and public speaking.
Career & Personal Life
Sandra Jean Betts has no public records of professional work. A UK‑based Sandra Jean Betts born in 1957 served as a company director, but that individual differs by birthdate and nationality. Sandra’s notability stems from her role as Sheila’s mother and her legal actions involving Ray Charles.
Net Worth & Finances
Sandra’s personal net worth remains undocumented. Sheila Raye Charles’s long music career and speaking engagements likely place her earnings in the low six‑figure annual range.
Recent News & Legacy
- Sheila Raye Charles continues to perform and speak publicly, maintaining visibility in gospel circles.
- Historical interest in Sandra centers on the Ray Charles paternity case and Sheila’s life story.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth | March 31, 1946 |
| Death | c. 1998–2014 |
| Key Relationship | Ray Charles (daughter Sheila, b. 1963) |
| Children | Sheila Raye Charles; possible son |
| Professional Record | None publicly recorded |
| Net Worth | Undisclosed |
FAQ
Who was Sandra Jean Betts?
She was born in 1946, became known for her 1962 relationship with Ray Charles, and mothered gospel singer Sheila Raye Charles.
When did Sandra Jean Betts pass away?
Available records indicate she died between 1998 and 2014, with burial in Maine under the name Sandra Jean Betts Rowe.
Who is Sheila Raye Charles?
Sheila Raye Charles, born in 1963, is Sandra’s daughter with Ray Charles and a gospel artist turned motivational speaker.
Did Sandra have other children?
Sources suggest she may have had a son with Frank Alan Smith, but details remain minimal.
What legal action involved Sandra?
She filed a paternity suit against Ray Charles in 1964, which legally established his fatherhood of Sheila.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LRRB-2SM/sandra-jean-betts-1946-2014 | Sandra Jean Betts’s birth date (March 31, 1946) and parentage |
| https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166961034/sandra_jean-rowe | Memorial record under the name Sandra Jean Betts Rowe, indicating burial in 1998 |
| https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/ray-charles-and-sandra-jean-betts | Sandra Jean Betts’s relationship with Ray Charles in December 1962 |
| https://musicdayz.com/fact/189616/ | Details of the paternity suit filed by Sandra Jean Betts regarding her daughter Sheila Raye Charles |
| https://afrotech.com/ray-charles-children-net-worth | Overview of Sheila Raye Charles’s music career, personal challenges, and estimated net worth |
| https://www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/Florida/Sandra-Betts_4jzxrc | Record of a UK-registered Sandra Betts as company director and teacher, likely a different individual |
| https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/ULC4dNfNeWjEy8ACSOinkgOB8T0/appointments | UK Companies House appointments for Sandra Jean Betts, indicating professional roles distinct from the subject |
