Betty Jo Burton Battles

BETTY JO BATTLES

          Betty Jo Burton Battles, 98, passed away April 9, 2024, at Norterre of Liberty, MO.   

          Jo was born July 12, 1925, in Clifton Hill, Randolph County, MO, the daughter of James Marion Burton and Annie Vest Summers Burton. She grew up in Clifton Hill and attended school there and in Tennessee, where her father was a horse trader.   She graduated first in her high school class.  Following graduation, Jo attended William Woods College for two years and then transferred to the University of Missouri where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority.  

          During her senior year at MU, Jo met her future husband, Jack Lee Battles, and they were wed immediately following college graduation.  They were blessed with two children, Barbara Jean and James Lee.   In her early years, Jo taught school in Randolph County. However, she left teaching to be a devoted housewife and mother. Family meant everything to Jo. 

          Jack’s work as an engineer took them throughout the US, including Pennsylvania, Wyoming (Teton mountains were her fav), and New Mexico to name a few places they lived.   Jack and Jo retired in Palm Harbor, FL.   

          Betty moved from Palm Harbor to Addington Place in Kansas City to live near family.  She loved entertaining family and friends, golf, traveling, and playing cards (especially a game of Wizard with her grandkids). She was an excellent cook, a master of chocolate milkshakes and donut muffins, and enjoyed a glass of red wine.    

          Along with her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her brother, James Burton; sister, Eula Frances Burton Hill; son, James Lee Battles; husband, Jack Lee Battles; daughter, Barbara Jean Battles Conway; and nephew, Mike Hill.

          Survivors include nieces, Judy Hill Webster of Clifton Hill, MO, Georgeanne Hill Donaldson of Moberly, MO, and Tammy Ryals Hill of Clifton Hill, MO, nephew, Douglas Burton (Sally) of Leawood, KS, and many great nieces and nephews; son-in-law, Malcolm Conway of San Francisco, CA; daughter-in-law, Marla Battles Neece of Kansas City, MO; grandsons, Matthew James Conway (Charlotte) of Charlotte, NC, Christopher Lee Conway (Hilleary) of San Francisco, CA, granddaughter, Becky Jean Battles Jobson (Graham) of Kansas City, MO, and nine great grandchildren.

          A memorial celebration will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, May 25, at Clifton Hill Community Church.  Burial will be in Clifton Hill.  

          You may share a message with the family or sign an online guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com.  Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228.