Betty Jo Barnes

EASTLAND- Betty Jo Barnes of Eastland, Texas passed away peacefully at home on May 28, 2023 surrounded by loving family at the age of 88. Betty was born in Morton Valley, Texas on January 2, 1935. She resided most of her life in Eastland County. She graduated from Ranger High School in 1953 and attended Ranger Junior College where she played basketball. Betty married James Luther Barnes on March 18, 1954. She was a dedicated Christian and taught Sunday School at Bethel Baptist Church for over 40 years. She loved to sing in the church choir and did so for over 50 years.
Betty loved the outdoors, taking care of animals and most of all, horses. She owned a horse until 2006. She had a horse from an early age and loved riding whenever her Daddy would let her, even though the horse might run her under a clothes line. One of her greatest joys was having family holiday gathering at her house enjoying family times. She also loved playing games and watching Garfield movies with the grandchildren. Watching sporting events of her children and grandchildren whether it was football, basketball, track or baseball was also a special memory for her.
Betty worked at many jobs in her career beginning as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell, then as seamstress for Munsingwear, then became a laboratory technician working at Eastland Memorial Hospital. Following this, she became a certified pharmacy technician and worked in this role until she retired in 2009.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert C. and Belma Pounds and her brother Bill and sister Marjorie Crouch. Survivors include her son Garry and wife Ruth and son Larry. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Lindsay Nawrocki and husband Steve, Patrick Barnes and wife Becca, Brandon Barnes and wife Amber, Kevin Barnes and husband Bryan, Shelley Blakeney and husband Jason and Brooke Barnes, her 9 great grandchildren, Connor and Claire Henderson, Kate and Jase Blakeney, AJ and Drew Barnes, Elizabeth, Katherine and Benjamin Barnes. She is also survived by Catherine Gibson and husband Kristian and their son Leon, Cameron Gibson, Brian Gibson, Madison and McKinzie Nawrocki.
It would be her greatest desire for all to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to faithfully follow Him.
Memorial Gifts may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 1306 W. Main St., Eastland Texas 76448.