Betty J. Overton

Jo Overton began life in Tillman County Oklahoma in 1930, she died January 10, 2026. Her parents Ruby Dearing and Flake “Corn Corn” Dearing moved the family around southwestern Okla. They settled in Fort Worth Texas where she lived in the area for her remaining years.

Jo was surrounded by family all her life, her three kids: Kevin Overton, Kalynn Overton Surratt and her husband Bob Surratt, Kyle J Overton and his wife Laura Buchanan Overton. Her grandkids: Laura Patrick, Bryan Surratt, Charlie Overton, Anna “Oliver” Overton, Lee Overton, Curt Overton and two great grandkids: Jayton Patrick, Maddie Jo Patrick. She is preceded in death by her husband, Herman Glynn Overton, her parents Ruby Dearing and Flake “Corn Corn” Dearing, her brother Curt Dearing, her sister Joyce Purcell, and her son Kevin Overton’s late wife, Donna Overton.

Her “first education” was at Southwestern Bell where she worked as an operator. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree in English from Texas Wesleyan and earned her master’s degree in English from TCU. Jo was passionate about education, and she used that passion to teach English at Richland High and Tarrant County College for over 30 years. She instilled a love of reading and learning in her students, as well as her own kids and grandkids.

Jo was a mother, grandmother, and aunt and was known by many names: Mammam, Grandma Jo, Aunt Jo, Grandma Jelly Bean, and of course, Jo. Her kindness and witty nature brought a smile to everyone that knew her. She would have used her passion for grammar to rewrite this and make it better, just like how Jo made the lives of everyone who knew her better.

Please join us to celebrate her life on Saturday January 31, 2026 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Service starts at 2:00 PM at Arlington Downs Townhomes Clubhouse, 386 Westview Terrace, Arlington TX 76013. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to https://gofund.me/94fcbdbeb to install a memorial bench at the Arlington Downs Townhomes playground, where she enjoyed watching her grandkids, great grandkids, and extended family play.