Betty Jo Watson

Betty Jo Watson, 95, arrived at her heavenly home on Friday, March 21, 2025.  Her family surrounded her bedside as she was greeted in the arms of Jesus. 

Betty was born on August 30, 1929, in Washington County, Kentucky.  She was the youngest daughter of Lee Estil and Leila Wall Godbey.  She had six siblings.  Betty graduated from Springfield High School in 1947.  While in school, she was on yearbook staff, a member of Glee Club and a cheerleader.  She married William Bradley Watson on December 31, 1949. They were parents to Bill and Jean. William passed away in December 1964.  Betty never remarried and devoted her life to her children.

Betty loved sending greeting cards but she loved receiving them even more.  She would proudly display her cards for everyone to see. She loved to cook. She was family-famous for her jam cakes and brown sugar pies. 

We will miss her singing; hymns were her favorites. Betty and her childhood friend, Mayme Allen Kraus, were known to sing many duets together at weddings, funerals, and other church services.  Her heartfelt letters will be missed; Betty loved to write and had many pen pals.  Another school friend, Lucy Chesser Jacobs, and her wrote back and forth for decades, before Lucy’s passing in 2022.  Betty was a proud follower of Christ and a member of the Woodlawn Methodist Church.

Remaining behind to cherish her memory are her children: Bill Watson and Jean (Bruce) Curtsinger, as well as six grandchildren: Lori (Larry) Newton, Katie Watson, Ashley (Josh) Simpson, Wesley (Erin) Curtsinger, Emily Watson and Dr. Bradley Watson.  She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren and one step-daughter, Virginia Wright. 

She was preceded by death by her parents Lee and Leila Godbey; four sisters, Christine Farris, Zelma Reed, Mary Godbey and Margaret Mulligan; two brothers, Lee Estil Godbey, Jr. and Jim Godbey; her husband, William Watson; and one stepdaughter, Mary Lou Watson. 

The family would like to thank Flaget Memorial Hospital and the Comfort Care staff for their support as we navigated through her final moments.  We would also like to thank VNA Home Health and her caregivers—Sandy Hillard, Chaselan Ruley and Izzy Beam—for their expertise and compassion.  

Betty will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love her.  As painful as losing her is, we do take great comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain and in the arms of Jesus.  Even though Betty is gone from us today, her memory will last forever by those who knew and loved her.

Her funeral service will be 2 pm Sunday March 30, 2025 at Barlow Funeral Home with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Rev. Josh Simpson and Rev. Christopher Godbey will officiate. Visitation will be 3 pm - 8 pm Saturday March 29, 2025 and 12 (noon) - 2 pm Sunday March 30, 2025 at Barlow Funeral Home.

Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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