Betty Jo Martin, 80, Archie, MO, passed away Friday, January 14, 2022 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services were held  Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.  Burial  in Glenwild Cemetery in Cleveland, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association.

Betty Jo Martin was born March 6, 1941 to Ernest Ford and Naomi (Gibson) Ford in Adrian, MO. She graduated from Archie High School with the Class of 1959. After high school, she married the love of her life, James Clark Martin, on July 2, 1960 in Miami, Oklahoma. They made their home for the next 40 years in Louisburg, where all 3 of their sons grew up and attended school. Betty spent most of her career working for the Intercollegiate Press in production, but later did work for Blair House for several years, before enjoying retirement.

Clark and Betty returned to Archie, Missouri, in 2000, where they were members of the Evangel Church in Archie. Betty loved to spend time reading her bible, often sending bible verses to her family and friends that she came across that she thought maybe they needed to read, too. She will be remembered for calling to check on everyone if she heard sirens heading in the general direction of where they lived, just to be sure everyone was safe. Mostly, Betty will be remembered for a legacy of love and laughter that she shared with her family and friends.

Betty Jo Martin is preceded in death by her parents; son, James Martin; brothers: Doug Ford, Bud Ford, Jack Ford, Terry Ford, Wilford Ford, Marvin Ford, Junior Ford, and Lloyd Ford; her two sisters: Patty Crisp and Joy Kilpatrick. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Clark; her sons: Rick (Becki Sherfey) Martin and Barry Martin; her grandchildren: Justin (Andrea) Kircher, Eric Martin, Brent (Logan Gloner) Martin, Leah (David Duncan) Martin, and Derrick Martin; 11 great-grandchildren: Ethan, Aiden, Koehn, Victoria, Delilah, Corbyn, Maverick, Deacon, Danika, Jaylen, and Koby; and many extended family and friends.