Betty Jane (Griswold) Jones, 85, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023 at The Pines in Kirksville.

The daughter of the late Frank Herman and Eunice Edna (Wilson) Griswold, she was born December 26, 1937 in Brashear, Missouri. Betty was united in marriage to Donald Paul Jones on February 11, 1956 who preceded her in death on November 4, 1994. They met at church and he told her mother the same day "I'm going to marry that girl". They helped start several Free Will Baptist Churches and worked with young people throughout their marriage. Betty was baptized in 1954, and her entire life was a devoted member at the Kirksville Free Will Baptist Church.

Betty was one of ten children, and is survived by two sisters, Darlene (Leroy) Jackson of Moberly, MO, and Leona Tharp of Rolla, MO; one brother, Jack Griswold and spouse Bob Boyd of Kansas City, MO; brother-in-law, Jim Pope of Owasso, OK; sister-in-law, Virginia Griswold of Queen City, MO, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by four brothers, Tom Griswold and wife Betty Lou, Bob Griswold and wife Edith, Bill Griswold and wife Louise, and Donnie Griswold; two sisters, Louise Eichemier and husband Ike, and Bonnie Pope; and brother-in-law, Dave Tharp.

Betty attended school in the Brashear public school and was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1955 (in the old building) and enjoyed meeting with other classmates for lunch once a month until the pandemic came. Betty worked in retail helping set up the Wal-Mart stores, worked at Sears, Montgomery Ward, J.C. Penney's, and worked at Kirlins Hallmark Store for twenty years.

Betty (B.J. to many she worked with) loved reading, writing, cooking, and making quilts. many of her poems and articles were published and won awards. Several nieces and nephews received quilts for their graduations.

Public visitation will begin noon Friday, April 14, 2023 with funeral services to follow at 1:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Jeremy Broach officiating. Interment will follow the service at Yarrow Cemetery in Yarrow, Missouri.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Betty may be made to the Betty (Griswold) Jones Memorial Scholarship and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.