Betty Jo Abernathy, 96, of Naylor, Missouri passed away on Sept. 18, 2021 at The Manor Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
She was born May 4, 1925 in Harviell, Missouri. She was near lifetime resident and teacher of Naylor, Missouri.
She married Jack Abernathy in 1945 upon his returning home after serving in WWII in England, as a fighter pilot with the US Army Air Corp.
She received a BSE in 1958 and an MSE in 1972 from Arkansas State University. She taught in the Naylor school system, until “retirement” in 1985 and then enjoyed substitute teaching up until her early 90’s. She was proud that she was able to teach three generations of students.
She played the piano for the Naylor Methodist Church for nearly 50 years and most recently had attended the Naylor Church of God. She was a member of Eastern Star more than 50 years, served on the Board of Aldermen of the city of Naylor, and was on the Ripley County Health Center board more than 50 years.
She was selected as Ripley County BPW Woman of the Year in 1980. She served as Commencement speaker for Naylor School system on several occasions.
She received the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary “Pioneers in Education” award in 2015 for her commitment and contributions to public education.
Throughout her lifetime she took on many hobbies including travel, golf, keeping score for the Naylor basketball teams, having lots of fun as a member of “Red Hat Society”, keeping up with the St. Louis Cardinals and staying involved with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is survived by two sons and their spouses: Major Gary Lance (Mary Sue) Abernathy of Dayton, Ohio and Dr. Roger Ward (Nancy) Abernathy of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
She is also survived by four Grandchildren, Chris (Jessica) Abernathy and their children Evelyn and Arthur of Riverside, Ohio, Sean (Jenny) Abernathy and their daughter Eve, of Lucas, Texas, Lisa (Justin) Durlewanger and their son, Axel of Shoreline, Washington and Eric Abernathy of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Further, she is survived by nieces and nephews: Barbara (Leslie) Brown and Robyn (Larry) Hillis of Poplar, Missouri, Hilary (Jim) Casstevens of Indiana, Dr. Greg (Mary) Abernathy of Indiana, Gordon S. Jackson, Jr. of Arizona, Kelli (John) Davidson of Louisiana, Rev. Keith (Connie) Larned of North Carolina and Sister-in-law Marti Abernathy of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle Marie McCauley in 1959 and Judson Carey Ward in 1978, her beloved husband, Ishmael Wilton (Jack) Abernathy, in 1990, sister Peggy Elizabeth Woodard in 2016, brother Dr. Robert (Bob) Lee Ward in 1982, nephew Douglas Woodard in 2006 and niece Joan Larned in 2007.
Special thanks to The Manor Nursing Home staff, Legacy Hospice and Dr. Mike Caldwell for your loving care.
Service was on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 at the Naylor Memorial Cemetery. Memorial se