On November 11, 2022, our beloved matriarch was peacefully reunited in heaven with her son Randy and husband Robert. A mother of four, and grandmother of two, Betty Jo Lee was the third child born to Emmett Earl and Bertha (Dannenberg) Hines.
Betty Jo spoke fondly of her childhood years as a daughter of Waldron, the only town she ever called home. Betty Jo married Robert Lee in 1947, and welcomed the births of her beloved children Richard (husband to Lisa), Mike (husband to Viera), Randy, and Diana (wife to Dave). These were some of her happiest times, and some of her favorite memories to recount. This joy was sadly interrupted by the untimely passing of her son Randy, whom she loved tremendously.
Betty Jo found great purpose and support as a teacher, city-councilwoman, reporter, and as a committed friend to all. In her later years, she was devout in her love for her grandchildren, Miranda (wife to Ian, a welcome new grandson-in-law) and Gerick.
She was preceded in death by husband Robert, sisters Barbara Huston; Lela Rae Luttrell; and Elsie Earl Robbins, son Randy, and nephew Billy Luttrell. She leaves behind a sea of family and friends, including her children, Richard (Lisa); Mike (Viera); and Diana (Dave) Ward, grandchildren Gerick and Miranda (Ian) Johnson, niece Susan (Pat Svacina) Huston and nephew Robert (Kim) Huston. All of us will miss her terribly.
Betty Jo’s Mass will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Father Les officiating. Interment will take place at Birdsview Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted with Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Betty Jo’s pallbearers will be: Don Jones, Horacio ‘Junior’ Gonzalez, Don Smith, James Forbes, Neal Sparks and Terry Pyle.
Betty Jo’s Rosary will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Waldron, Arkansas on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 5:30 pm. Her visitation will follow from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, it was Betty Jo’s wish that donations be made in memory of Randy Lee to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
