Betty Jo (Woodard) Johnson

Betty Jo Johnson was born in Blytheville, Arkansas, on June 4, 1939.  She was the daughter of Clarence Woodard and Elizabeth Bunn Woodard.

She peacefully departed this life, surrounded by her family, at the age of 86 on April 30, 2026, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Betty graduated from Caruthersville High School with the class of 1958.  On April 11, 1958, she was united in marriage to James Gerald Johnson, Jr.  They built a life that was centered on love, family, and simple joys.  Together they celebrated 54 years of marriage. 

Betty found great joy in the simple pleasures.  She loved sewing, watching birds, growing flowers, drinking coffee with friends, and being involved in her kids and grandkids activities.   She loved everything from QVC.  She was a loving woman, who truly enjoyed life to its fullest and treasured her family above all else. 

She will be deeply missed and loved forever.

She is survived by three children: Timmy Johnson of Caruthersville, Missouri, Robin Johnson of Kennett, Missouri, and Brook House and her husband, Joe, of Terrell, Texas; six grandchildren: Nathan Cole and his wife, Jessica, of Gassville, Arkansas, Austin Johnson and his wife, Mary Beth, of Caruthersville, Missouri, Emily Shotwell and her husband, Joseph, of League City, Texas, Carrie Nolen and her husband, Tyler, of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Lindsey King and her husband, Cody, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Elizabeth McDonald and her husband, Errol, of Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Her legacy will continue to live through her very cherished great grandchildren – Katherine and Peyton Shotwell, Ella, Ace & Eliza Johnson, Natalie & Jonathan Cole, Emma, Hudson & Jaycee Nolen, Heidi & Kennedy King, and a future great grandson – Sterling McDonald.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Gerald Johnson, Jr., her parents, Clarence and Elizabeth Woodard, her siblings – Bob Woodard, Louise Burrow, and Jackey Peterson, and one great grandchild, Ann Elise Johnson.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the H.S. Smith Funeral Chapel with Brother Jim Pilcher officiating.  Interment will follow in Little Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Pall bearers:  Timmy Johnson, Nathan Cole, Austin Johnson, Joe House, Cody King, Tyler Nolen

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.

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