Bertie Jo Helton was born August 18, 1932, in Evening Shade, MO. She passed away, February 18, 2024, in Springfield, Mo at the age of 91.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Elmer L. Helton and Josephine “Miller” Helton; her brother, David Lee Helton; and a son, Max Allen Graves.
Bertie Jo graduated from Plato High School in 1949 and received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri State College in 1964. She earned her master’s in education from Drury College in 1973. She was also awarded a Home Economic Education Certificate in Flower design from Graff Area Vocational Technical Center in 1982.
She taught for eight years in rural area schools, followed by 23 years teaching for Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, MO. She retired in July of 1987 after 31 years of teaching.
She was Past Worthy Matron Order of the Eastern Star, past State President of Kappa Kappa Iota, and part of the Missouri Association of Realtors for many years.
Bertie Jo and Jo Alven Graves were married in July of 1951. He passed away in 1978 at the age of 49. They had three sons, Mark Alven Graves, Mikeal Jo Graves, and Max Allen Graves.
Her sons blessed her with six grandchildren, Crystal Lynn Graves, Cactus Ann Graves, Joey Blake, Alana (Graves) Hindman, Joe Lee Danastasio, and Josey Graves.
Bertie Jo loved and spoiled her eight great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, Destinee Kinder, Savannah Rossetti, Dawson Rossetti, Coral Heimer, Nautica Heimer, Isabella Hindman, Sophia Hindman, Max Hindman, Kora Kinder, Charlee Kinder, Christine Rossetti. There is even another on the way!
She was known to many as mother and grandma, but later earned the nickname Grandma Tweet-Tweet, when one of the great grands tried learning her real name, Bertie. Family was important and she was always going to bat for her tribe. She became a pillar of relief for many others. She appreciated the strength and love brought by those added to the family, whether it be husbands or wives.
She was a woman of many talents and interests including gardening, painting, creating floral arrangements, and sewing. She spoiled many with her heavenly meals and she gave out the best goodie bags loaded with candies and gum galore.
She was always willing to share her knowledge or teach others from her Mary Poppins bag of skills. She loved challenging herself with crosswords, ordering them in bulk. There was nothing better than using a red uni-ball gel pen to fill in the blanks and she wouldn’t let you forget it.
Her absence leaves a great void in the hearts of those she left behind. She will be greatly missed, forever cherished and her love will be carried on in the hearts of her tribe.
