Betty Jo Johnson, 93, of Watanga, Texas, passed away August 12, 2024, in Grapevine, Texas. Betty was born May 23, 1931, in Fort Scott, Kansas, to William and Irene Watkins. She was the youngest of four children, and had three siblings, Wanda, Wayne, and Jim.
She married young and had two children, Sherryl Alene and James Reginald and divorced after 14 years.
She then married the love of her life, James Lee Johnson and they had two children, Gerald Lee and Jennifer Lynn. Following the death of James, she fell and broke her leg.
She later moved to Texas. After getting sick with Covid, her health continued to decline, and she lived the last three years of her life in a nursing home in Texas.
Betty had a sweet tooth, and especially loved donuts and chocolate. She also enjoyed action-packed movies, reading, and crossword puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Irene; husband, James; and son, Gerald.
She will be fondly remembered by her seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and her extended family and friends.
A visitation will be held Monday, August 19, 2024, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home in Kearney, Missouri, with a graveside service to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kearney, Missouri.
Arrangements in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.
Our Sincere Condolences
Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Betty Jo Johnson. Working for the City, I had the opportunity to meet both Jim and Betty–great Kearney residents living at the northeast corner of Southbrook Parkway and Heather. Jim meticulously cared for this property that backed up to one of the Southbrook ponds. Both were good and kind.
James Robert Eldridge
