Betty Jo Camp

On the morning of Saturday, May 18th, when asked if she was ready to go home to Heaven, Betty Jo Kelly Camp said, “Yes.” She smiled and narrated messages to her dear friends on her way out of this world. Her last words were those of love of family and faith in God. She left this world shortly after midnight, having lived her 90 years to the fullest.

Jo was born in Cleveland, Tennessee on June 1, 1928 to Kimsey Merle (K.M.) and Rosa Kelly. As a preacher’s child, her home location was frequently changing, and she learned at a young age to be adaptable.

She attended Athens Bible School, Florida Christian School, and graduated from Freed-Hardeman College in 1948. It was at Freed Hardeman that her path forever changed when she met Robert S. Camp. Together they formed an unbreakable bond that would last 59 years. They were married in Hugo, Oklahoma and went on to have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Her first nickname was “Honey,” and by listening to her talk and seeing her sweet personality, it is easy to understand why. “Mama” was the word her children called her as she made their favorite birthday meals and put them through school. Later she became known as “Gana” to all of her 9 grandchildren and each of their spouses. The name Gana was spoken with love and endearment due to the energy she poured into each grandchild. She shopped at Christmas for special keepsake ornaments, and touched each baby’s feet as if they were made of porcelain. Babies were her specialty and she welcomed and swaddled each generation of newborns that belonged to her. “They’re just so sweet!” was the phrase she said over and over.

As a preacher’s wife, many knew her by her food, her gentle spirit, and her warm hugs. She taught Bible Classes and excelled at creating bulletin boards. She was there to turn on the building lights and then to turn them off after the last person left.

She worked as a switchboard operator at Atlanta Gas Light until her retirement and she considered her friends there as lifelong ones, even hearing from some of them the last week of her life.

In 2013 when she moved to Arkansas, she made up her mind to be happy at Harding Place. She soon discovered that it wouldn’t be hard at all. She loved the food there, the friends she ate with, her neighbors that welcomed her, and she ended up having 6 very wonderful, full years in Searcy.

Cards in her last days came from friends from all walks of life. She received visits from her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew on her 90th birthday, received calls from her grandchildren, and always kept up on their latest news and information.

Her hobbies included collecting glass baskets and butterflies, cross-stitching, cooking, and watching Home Shopping Network. Most of her friends and family experienced gifts from a combination of those. She loved listening to Mantovani and harp music, and her favorite movie was The Sound of Music. Her home at Christmas was magical with the packages, her perfectly decorated tree, and Greek Food that became a tradition.

She will definitely be missed but she made sure to leave wonderful memories to last a lifetime. Her family looks forward to being together with her again soon!

Preceding her in death were her parents, her baby sister, Francis Jean, her daughter, Pamela Somers, her son, Richard Camp, and her husband Robert Camp. Left to cherish her memory are sister, Sue Via (Jere); nephew, Kelly Via; son, David Camp (Cheryl); grandchildren, Jeff Camp (Lorrie), Heath Camp, Jonathan Camp (Jen Nelson), Joshua Richardson, Phillip Richardson, Jacob Richardson, McKenna Pruitt (Michael), Kelsey Nutt (Mike), Kittrell Camp; and many great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 26, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. at the Turner Funeral Home, 2773 N Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA with funeral services immediately following at 11:00 A.M. in the Turner Funeral Home chapel. Interment will follow the service in the Floral Hills Memory Gardens 3000 Lawrenceville Hwy. Tucker, GA 30084.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.asturner.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the College Church of Christ, 714 E. Race Street, Searcy, AR 72143. Please mark “Ukraine Missions” in the memo. Her Bible Class supported this outreach.