Betty Jo Mitchell
Betty Jo Mitchell of West Plains, Missouri passed away peacefully at the age of 93 years on December 23, 2025, at West Vue Nursing Center. Her funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. on January 3, 2026, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson Drago Funeral Home. Burial is at Amy Cemetery.
She was born on July 2, 1932, in Brinkley, Arkansas, to Robert and Addie Adkins. She married Roy Mitchell on August 20, 1955, in Hernando, Mississippi. She is survived by her son, Jerry Mitchell, and wife Kumiko, of Yonkers, New York, as well as nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sisters Dotty Jean Taylor and Ann Boyd, and brother Robert Adkins.
Betty was caring, thoughtful, curious, and deeply spiritual. A graduate of the Arkansas School for the Blind, she evinced a lifelong passion for reading and learning. Every evening, for nearly 60 years, Roy and she discussed the meaning of a Bible passage. She often visited local public schools to teach children how Braille was imprinted and read. Some of her other interests included listening to classic Broadway musicals, cooking, and taking long walks in nature. She was always up for a get-together with friends to chat, laugh, and feel the bond that comes with shared joy. She especially loved to spend time with Sue Kimberlin and Jackie Wright. With a wonderful vibrancy, hers was a life lived to the fullest, guided by God’s grace.
Memorial contributions should be made to Amy Cemetery and may be left or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri 65775.
Rita Jackson
December 27, 2025 @ 8:08 am
Jerry, my sympathy to you in the passing of your mother. I used to visit with her when my mom was at Pleasant Valley for a short time. Betty was an inspiration.
Take care,
Rita (Huddleston) Jackson
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
December 27, 2025 @ 10:46 am
Jerry & Kumiko,
Our Deepest Sympathy to each of you on the passing of Betty. My Mother, Ivene(Brickey)Cozort, was distant related via the Mitchell’s. Her Grandmother was Joice(Anderson)Mitchell. We are very sorry about Betty’s passing. May God provide comfort, peace, strength, and encouragement to each of you daily. We will be keeping you all in our daily thoughts and prayers. May God bless each of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris & Ivene Cozort
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
Anne Cochran
December 27, 2025 @ 10:57 pm
She was a wonderful lady. Her life may have been without sight but she full vision in her Lord’s presence now.
Paul Pruett
December 28, 2025 @ 11:27 am
She was a lovely lady and a fixture of our community
Vivian Mitchell
December 29, 2025 @ 12:16 pm
Jerry I am so sorry for your loss. Betty was one of my clients in my shop for several years and also my friend. She was an amazing woman. I am praying for you now and in the days to come.
Donna Newberry
December 29, 2025 @ 1:48 pm
I visited with Betty many times when my dad, Melvin Fox, was at Pleasant Valley.
Betty and Dad sat at same table for meals so I ate many meals with those friends at Dads table. I think dad went to Bakersfield School with Roy. Dad Class of 1945. Betty was such a pleasant lady to be around. Prayers for your loss. Noble and Donna Fox Newberry
Lisa Burris Elliott
January 1, 2026 @ 8:27 am
So sorry to hear this news. Roy and Betty were very close friends of our family my whole life, and we spent alot of time together. My dad, Bill Burris, and Roy spent half their time trying to “one-up” each other on jokes and pranks, and what one didn’t think of the other one did. And none of them ever used their disability for sympathy or personal gain – they enjoyed life to the fullest in spite of it. Prayers for comfort for their extended family who have lost an extraordinary human being. But oh, the sights she’s seeing now in heaven and I know both Roy and Daddy were there to greet her!!
Cindy Woodworth Murray
December 31, 2025 @ 12:51 pm
Your mother was a lovely, kind, gentle lady. I always admired her very much. She was joyful and always interested in others. My sincere sympathy for you and your family, Jerry.
Jackie Barnhart Williams
January 3, 2026 @ 10:30 am
Jerry,
I was sorry to hear about the passing of your loving mother. May your memories bring you comfort. Peace to you and your family.