Betty Jo Newberry

Ava, Missouri

Betty Jo Newberry, beloved mother, peacefully went to her Heavenly home on June 15, 2013 following a brief illness. It was both a privilege and joy for her daughters to have been with her during this time.

She was born July 16, 1932 in Ava, Missouri to Henry and Mertie (Davis) McFarlin. Following high school, Betty married Harley Newberry on July 31, 1948 in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Moline, Illinois. Betty was employed as a Legal Secretary at John Deere Company in East Moline, Illinois. They returned to Ava for their retirement years.

Her time spent as a member of Harley's country western band brought years of joy and happiness into her life. As a Christian, she felt the same happiness using her musical talents praising and worshipping God at Silvis Heights Baptist Church, while in Illinois and at Star Chapel in Ava.



Betty is survived by her daughters; Kathy Heston, and husband Steve, Charlotte, North Carolina and Linda McNiece and husband, Buddy, Pflugerville, Texas, four grandchildren; Amy (McNiece) Raigosa and husband, David of Pflugerville and Nathan Heston and wife, Elizabeth of Harrisburg, North Carolina, Stephenie Heston-Walker of Charlotte, and Matthew McNiece and wife, Jennifer of Brownwood, Texas, five great-grandchildren; Kellen Raigosa, Clover Heston-Walker, Kyleigh Raigosa, Troy Heston and Kenleigh Brookshier, many nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and freinds.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Harley, her parents, three brothers; Neil, Robert and Wesley McFarlin and five sisters; Velma Chappell, Nita Green, Nancy DeBrunye, Mae McFarlin and Cecil Caldwell and a great granddaughter, Willow Heston-Walker.


Funeral services for Betty will be Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri with burial in the Whites Creek Cemetery east of Ava. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. Buddy McNiece, Steve Heston and Rev. Larry Vinson. Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus,807 N. Main, Suite 1, Mountain Grove, Missouri 65711 or Whites Creek Cemetery in Ava.