Betty Jo was born Nov. 6, 1926 in Doniphan, Missouri, to Joseph Oscar and Edna Mildred (Lorey) Niswonger. She was baptized at the age of 6 at the First Baptist Church of Corning, Arkansas. Shortly thereafter, her family moved to Parma, Missouri where she grew up and graduated from Parma High School before attending Southeast Missouri State College.
She married her high school sweetheart, Tracy E. Eaton, on September 30, 1948 and they were married for 40 years before his death in 1988. Betty Jo and Tracy moved to Sikeston, Missouri in 1955, and then to Kansas City in 1960, where she lived 57 years until moving to the Houston area in 2017.
She was a busy stay-at-home Mom for her 4 children until she started a teaching career in 1969. She taught Language Arts, Drama, and Speech for 23 years in the Center School District, earning a Masters Degree in 1982 from UMKC, and retiring in 1992.
After her retirement Betty Jo worked as a tax preparer for H & R Block for 15 years. In 1994, she joined the Senior Barn Players and was active in the organization for 21 years, serving on their board and appearing in 17 plays from 1994 to 2015.
For over 50 years, Betty Jo was a member of Grace Point Baptist Church (formerly Swope Park Baptist Church) where she worked with the youth. In addition to teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, she was always interested in Missionary work and went on 22 Mission Tours with the church. Betty Jo was active and interested in life. Her overseas travel included Argentina, China, Africa, Trinidad, England, and Russia. She began learning to play the Banjo in 2012, at the age of 86.
Throughout her life, her family meant the most to her. She was preceded in death by her husband Tracy, grandson Trevor Castle, her parents, and her sister, Nettie Sogge. She is survived by her 4 children; daughters Carolyn Parrett (Gary) of Bastrop, TX, Kathy Castle (Phil) of Louisville, CO, Brenda Bryan (Dave) of League City, TX, and son Steve Eaton (Liz) of Santa Clarita, CA. She is also survived by grandchildren David, Brian, and Brad Parrett, Miranda and Nikki Castle, Kyle Bryan and Traci (Bryan) Arceneaux, Rachael and Harry Eaton, and great-grandchildren Gwen Castle and Jack Parrett. Additionally she is survived by her brother Oscar (O. J.) Niswonger of Santa Fe, NM, and many other extended family members.
A Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm followed by a Funeral Service at 3:00 pm, Friday, September 28 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the mission activities of Grace Point Baptist Church, 10415 Chestnut Drive, Kansas City, Missouri; 64137; (816) 761-4342; http://gpchurch.us/
