Betty Jo Howard

Mrs. Betty Jo Howard passed away on October 30, 2014.
Betty Jo was born on July 8, 1928 to John Dawkins and Bessie Queen McCarley. She was the oldest of four girls. She attended elementary school in Mason City, Middle School in Providence, and then graduated from Union County High in Lake Butler, Florida. After high school, Betty Jo began nursing school at Alachua General. It was during this time that she started dating her future husband, Glen Stouten Howard. Things were different back then; Betty Jo had to quit nursing school in order to marry the love of her life. Glen and Betty Jo married on September 7, 1947. They built a beautiful life together in Dukes, less than a mile from where Glenn was born. Together they cared for their family and their land, and raised two amazing children: Marsan and John "Stouten" Howard.
Betty Jo was in her 30s when she returned to her pursuit of a nursing degree at Lake City Community College (later Gateway College). Upon completion of her degree, she began working as a nurse at Lake Shore Hospital. She would later work as a director of a nursing home in Starke, Florida, before becoming Director of the Clinic at Reception and Medical Center. She retired from RMC when she was 70 years old.
Betty Jo's entire life was dedicated to the care of her family. This was a trend she continued after retirement. She and Glen spent most of their golden years with their grandchildren, taking them on trips to Georgia and attending every sporting event and band concert possible. Betty Jo loved God, her family, and her community. She leaves behind of legacy of love, caring, and compassion. This obituary is a weak reflection of the impact she had on those around her. To say she will be missed is an understatement of epic proportions.
Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents John and Bessie McCarley, her son Stouten, and her sister Billie Catherine Bielling.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years (Glenn), her daughter and son-in-law (Marsan and Jim Carr), a daughter-in-law (Pam Howard), seven grandchildren (Jimmy Thomas, David and Joy Thomas, Jennifer Thomas, Michael and Emma Carr, Arden and Jeremy Cox, Cailyn and Chad Stalnaker, and Lesley and Jay Blanton) and five great-grandchildren (Jimmy, Paislee Jo, Kent, Jacob, and Olivia). She is also survived by her younger sisters (Bobbie Sue Vincent and Trudy Huber) and several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
The funeral services for Betty Jo Howard will be at 11:00 am on Monday, November 3, 2014 at Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Lake Butler. The family will receive friends at 10:00am at the church, one hour prior to the service for visitation. Burial will follow at Elzey Chapel Cemetery. The arrangements are under the care of Archer Funeral Home, Lake Butler. 386-496-2008