Betty Josephine Garrison, fondly known to her family and friends as Betty Jo, age 88, of Rogersville, Missouri, passed away on June 29, 2024, at her home. Betty  was born to Winfred and Jewell Bench on February 19, 1936, in Rogersville, MO. She was raised in the Kinser area, outside of Springfield. After graduating from Rogersville High School. Betty married Wade Knight on April 16, 1954, and  to this union one daughter Colleen was born. Betty spent the first part of her career as a bookkeeper with the National Ave. Christian Church. She later moved to the Kansas City area where she worked as a secretary for the Raytown Chamber of Commerce. She spent several years as office manager at Laundry Equipment Services. On June 29, 1981 Betty was united in marriage to James “Jim ” Garrison, after her marriage to, Jim, Betty  worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation. She and Jim moved to Lake of the Ozarks, after moving to the lake, she worked as Office Manager for Lakeshore Realty. Betty Jo and Jim lived on the lake for 30 + years,. She loved to fish, and feed the hummingbirds that visited her deck. Jim and Betty  got a great deal of  pleasure from spending time with their dogs. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandson, Brian.
Betty was preceded in death by her spouse, Jim Garrison; father, Winfred Bench; mother, Jewell Bench; sister, Loetta Bradley; and her beloved grandson, Brian Jones. She is survived by her daughter Colleen Jones; dear sister, Wilma Bethurem; two step-daughters; and a host of family and friends.
A visitation for Betty will be held on Friday, July 5th, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, at Kinser Chapel of Hope, 3877 State Hwy J, Springfield, MO 65809, with funeral services to follow at 2:00 pm. Interment will be in  Dodson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Betty’s memory to the Animal Rescue Organization of your choice. Services have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home South.