Betty Jo Adney

Betty Jo Adney died on October 27, 2019 in Sun City, California. She was born on August 12, 1926 to Elda Gertrude Farnsworth and Ralph Waldo Farnsworth. She was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Betty Jo had one brother, Ralph Fredrick “Rick”, who died in January 2006.

Betty Jo married her high school sweetheart, Walter Lewis “Jiggs” Adney, on May 20, 1946 in Minneapolis. They were the proud parents of Susan Carol (Cline), Michael Walter, and Ricki Jane (Geary). Susan and Michel were born in Minnesota but in the post-war boom the family joined the exodus on Route 66 to sunny San Diego, California, arriving on Fathers’ Day, 1952. Ricki Jane was born the following December.

Betty Jo and Walt had a great life working together in the car business in San Diego and later on in their auto dismantling business in Chula Vista. They raised their family during the idyllic 50’s and 60’s making many great memories with beach trips, excursions on the cabin cruiser Walt built, and camping trips. In later years they enjoyed vacations all over the U.S. and Baja California in their RV, especially to the desert with their dune buggies. Both Betty Jo and Walt loved stock car racing where Betty Jo would drive Walt’s number “28” stock car racer in the Powder Puff races. They enjoyed traveling and especially visiting the Clines and the four grandsons at their Army assignments in the U.S. and Germany.

Betty Jo became very involved in Sun City activities after moving here with Walt in 1990. She served on many committees, boards, and clubs. After Walt’s death in 1996 she started acting with the Sun City Players and had the leading role in many of the productions. She transferred her membership from Beta Sigma international service sorority to the Nu Omicron chapter. Sorority activities and her sorority sisters were an important part of her life. She was a member for almost 50 years.

Weekly card games and bunco groups were a great source of fun for Betty Jo. She loved poker, pinochle, Mexican Train dominoes, and ALL word games, including crosswords. Betty Jo never met a game she didn’t like and was always thrilled to teach others how to play.

Betty Jo loved her family and was always so happy to see everyone at family gatherings. She was full of smiles and hugs for all. She counted her many friends as well as her family as her real treasure. She is survived by her 3 children, Susan, Michael and Ricki and her 7 grandchildren and Daniel, Robert, Craig, Christopher, Amber, Julie, and Kevin. Her 3 great-grandchildren are Ethan, Preston, and Madison. She also leaves behind a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Anyone lucky enough to meet Betty Jo was touched by her bright smile, her warmth and affection, and her amazing memory---especially for people’s names.

Betty Jo Adney was a beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, and friend! She will always be in our hearts!

Interment will be in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.