Betty Jo Colton

Betty Colton Betty Colton, age 84, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, Missouri. Betty Jo Ferguson Colton was born on June 23, 1927, in Chillicothe, Missouri, to Bruce Ferguson and Garnett Wigfield Ferguson. The family moved from Chillicothe to Kansas City and rural Davis County when Betty started school. Moving from there, Betty attended Junior High School in Marshall, Missouri, before moving to Chillicothe and attending Chillicothe High School, graduating in 1945. After attending Missouri Valley College and teaching at Bradford School, Betty married George Colton at First Baptist Church. Rev. Alfred Day performed the ceremony on January 1, 1947. George preceded her in death in February 2009. Betty worked for 30 years for the Missouri Department of Corrections. She was a member of First Baptist Church since the age of 14. She taught an adult Sunday School class for over 45 years, sang in the choir for 40 years, was a GA leader, served as a Bible group leader, and worked on various committees. Betty loved swimming and volunteered at the YMCA as assistant water aerobics instructor. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and served on the YMCA Board. Betty is survived by three daughters, Karen Dixon and husband Tom of Chillicothe, Missouri, Debbie Colton and husband Jim Hinrichs of Chillicothe, Missouri, and Julie Branson and husband Charles of Overland Park, Kansas; four grandchildren, Christopher Dixon and wife Amber of Springfield, Missouri, Brooke Preylo and husband Samuel of Chillicothe, Missouri, Lindsey Branson of Chicago, Illinois, and Matthew Branson and wife Brittney of Overland Park, Kansas; two great grandsons, Colton Dixon and Samuel Preylo; one sister, Doris Schworer of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister-in-law, Dorthea Babb of North Kansas City, Missouri; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George; one granddaughter-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law. Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, April 6, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a scheduled family visitation on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri. Friends may call after 12:00 noon until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.