Funeral Services for Betty Jo James, Age 91 of Raymondville, Missouri will be held on Thursday, October 15th, 2026 at The Evans Funeral Home, Houston, Missouri, beginning at 1:00 PM. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place in The Allen Cemetery, Houston, Missouri.
Betty Jo (York) James was born on May 4, 1935, in a log cabin just southeast of Licking, Missouri, and she passed away on October 11, 2026, at her home in Raymondville, Missouri at the age of 91.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Lee James; her parents, Cyrus and Lydia (Hebblethwaite) York; infant son, Dennis McConnell; 2 sisters, Zelta Garrison and Patricia Hood; and 3 brothers, Lloyd, Jim, and Billy.
Betty is survived by her children: Gwendolyn “Gwen” (McConnell) Thomas, Carl McConnell and his wife Michele, and David McConnell and his wife LaFonda; her stepchildren: Dwain James and Patti and her husband Jim Holder; her grandchildren, Freddie, Jennifer, Frank, Andy, Jamie, Sheena, Wendy, Shanna, Malena, and Latesa; and their families, totaling 21 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren; her sisters, Ruby Craig, Mary York, Martha Ice, Grace Duncan; her brothers, Wesley and John; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She grew up in the Shipp Community in Texas County and attended Shipp School through eighth grade. She worked at the H.D. Lee Company factory in Houston, MO, and later retired from there. Working at Lee Company is where she met her husband, Lee. They were married on April 12, 1974, in Vandalia, MO. She lived in Raymondville, Missouri following their marriage until her death.
She loved fishing, puzzles, reading, tending her flowers, making quilts for her family, and rock collecting. She had a special love for elephants, witnessed by her large collection of elephant figurines. She also had a special love for Christmas, shown by her many festive decorations, clothes and earrings. She will be missed by her friends and family.
