Betty Jo Kennedy

Betty Jo Kennedy was 90 years, one month and one day when she passed on Saturday, August 23,2025 at 12:37 pm in Aurora, Colorado at Garden Terrace Alzheimers Center. She died quietly and softly of the complications of aging and dementia. She lived most of her life in Denver, Colorado where she was active and had a host of friends from all walks of life. She valued loyalty, honesty and a sense of humor.

Betty was born on July 22,1935 in Uvalda,Georgia to Missouria Redden and James Willie Kelley. She was the fourth child and youngest child of that union. She was raised in a small farming town where hard work was valued and love of God was taught and church attendance was imperative. Her two older sisters, Lucille Kelley Brown, Mary Ella Kelley-McCrea were her early teachers and disciplinarians. Her sister, Darletha Kelley’s life was cut short by a childhood illness at 3 months of age. Growing up she learned the values of discipline, diligence and obedience.

She attended Dickerson High School after the family moved to Vidalia, Georgia. She was a good student and a quick study. Also, Betty had a lovely soprano voice and she was known to sing and harmonize as a group with two of her classmates; Gene and Lois.

Later, she gave birth to her only child, Sandra Marie on January 28,1953 in Vidalia, Georgia.

She completed her high school education in St. Louis, Missouri. She began her work life there while living with her middle sister “Mae”. One of her first jobs was at a facility for the mentally challenged where she formed a lifelong friendship with “Bryant” one of her first mentors.

She was married to Tommy Ray Kennedy in St. Louis on July 22,1962 by Rev. Hooks at Greater AME Zion Church and they divorced on September 13, 1979.

Betty’s marriage to Tommy Kennedy brought her and her daughter to Denver, Colorado where he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base.

Her life with her husband took her to Greece for two years. While living in Athens she formed a lifelong friendship with Jewelene and Howard Spencer and she became caretaker to their daughter Sabrina and godmother to their son, Tyrone Spencer; her second “child”. She also formed a lifelong friendship with two Greek neighbors Sula and Bobby which continued after they immigrated to the United States.

Betty had several jobs upon her return to Denver. Her final employer was Mountain Bell. She began there as an operator and ended her career as an Information Specialist at US West after nearly 19 years. She valued education and was a quick study. She took classes and learned tasks that allowed her to advance. She was exacting in her work and was a loyal employee who was always on time. She received numerous certificates for excellence at her place of employment. She made many lifelong friends at her place of employment; Laverne and Elaine and many others.

Betty had several residencies in Denver. Wherever she lived, she formed strong and lifelong friendships. At her first residence on 32nd and Milwaukee; she met two of her lifelong friends; Phyllis Mays and Lillie Mason. She also formed longtime friendships with Pearl Mickens at Lowry AFB and Leola Gaden from community and club activities.

She joined Campbell Chapel AME Church soon after her friend, Phyllis invited her to attend for the first time in 1964. She remained a member of Campbell until her death. She lived on 32nd and St. Paul for several years. During that time she learned to drive and learned the city of Denver by “getting lost” and finding her way home. Later, she moved with her family to in Athens, Greece for two years.

Upon her return to Denver; she bought a house with her husband on 23rd and Oneida and continued her old friendships and formed new ones. After her divorce she bought the pride and joy of her life; her house on 2800 Albion in 1980. It was at this location where Betty thrived and survived. At the urging of her daughter; she began her lifelong passion of walking for exercise.

Betty retired from Mountain Bell soon after buying her house and travelled the country with a travel groups and other friends. Betty was always active in her church as a class leader and a stewardess. She was a lifelong contributor to the Alzheimer’s association. She loved sports and was an avid fan of all Denver teams; especially the Broncos. She was known for her early morning walks around City Park alone and later with her friend Cynthia Simmons. She joined the gym and there she made many more lifelong friends. She was a member of her church’s summer walking group.

Betty was an avid gardener; both flowers especially roses and vegetables and was known for growing vegetables just to share with others. She was fiercely protective of her lawn and gardens. She was a great cook and made fabulous sweet potato pies, macaroni and cheese and cakes. Betty was bold, fiercely independent and unapologetic and one never needed to wonder where she stood on a topic.

She was community minded and formed fast and enduring friends with her neighbors such as Mark, Lulu and Terry. New neighbors were often blessed with the products of her garden. They came to know her for being ever present in her yard in the summers and shoveling snow in the early morning hours.

She loved to celebrate herself with lavish and well-attended birthday parties throughout her years with her eclectic and varied group of friends. She journaled daily and was an avid fan of soap operas; especially General Hospital. She loved music and she loved to dance. She was a member of various clubs throughout the years; including the Octets.

She was a supportive and proud mother but her praise was most often shared with others.

She was active in local politics and believe in the power of voting and community involvement. She was acquainted with many of the local police and politicians of the city of Denver.

She was never afraid to ask for help from her friends. Michael, Brother Michael, Melinda and others were often tasked to complete projects in and outside of her home. She was diligent about keeping her house in order.

She was close to her family and always remembered her nieces and nephews birthdays. Betty was diligent about sending greeting cards for most occasions. She was supportive and was prone to giving advice both solicited and otherwise. She attended family reunions and enjoyed visits to her mother; Missouri, her sister;Lucile, her nephew;Morris and her niece; Louise.

Betty is survived by her daughter Sandra M. Turner and her brother James Robert Kelley Jr. as well as her nieces Louise Brown-Gray, Mary Etta Brown-Powell, Ronetta Kelley, Diane Brown and Ruth Brown and her nephews Morris Brown and Terry Kelley-Brown. She is also survived by her godson, Tyrone Spencer and many nieces and nephews and innumerable great and grand nieces and nephews

She is predeceased by her mother, father, three sisters, her ex-husband, three nephews and many friends whom she thought of as family.

Join Livestream: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wheat-ridge-co/betty-kennedy-12499350 Meeting ID: 899 6704 0653 Phone Passcode: 7143279544 Computer Passcode: loveshines