Betty Jo Henderson Irvin

Betty Jo (Henderson) Irvin answered her Master's call , turned and left it al in the early morning hours of April 17, 2023. Although she knew she would be missed, she knew that it was time and her name had been called on the roll. Oh, what a beautiful reunion she must have had with her mom, dad, sisters and brothers and the rest of the Henderson clan. The fourth child of RH and Johnnie Mae Henderson, Betty was born September 2, 1941, in Camp County, Texas. She received her education through the Douglass school system and graduated in 1961.

After graduation, Betty entered the workforce as a live-in nanny and domestic engineer, which afforded her the ability to travel across the United States and live in cities such as Dallas, Texas, Denver, Colorado and Philadelphia, Philadelphia. in the mid 1970's Betty returned home to Pittsburg, Texas and lived there as the primary caregiver of her mother and sister, Evelyn in their later years. The backbone of the Henderson family, she enjoyed not only taking care of her mother, but her siblings and extended family as well. If you had the honor an overnight stay with her, you probably were awakened in the early morning hours by her singing and preparing coffee and lunch for her brothers.

Just like her mother, she was known for her love of feeding everyone. Some of the best fried chicken, pork chops, dumplings, greens, cakes and cobblers came from her kitchen. She not only love Sunday dinners, but came to love Saturday brunch in her home as well. Her love for culinary arts was so deep that you could often catch her reading one of the many cookbooks that she'd collected in her down time.

In her later years, she loved being on the go with her kids and grandkids. Whether a trip to Sam's Club, a birthday party, or night out to dinner, she was sure to have someone come by to pick her up.

Having accepted Christ at an early age, she lived a life of service. As a member of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, she served in many capacities over the years. Whether coordinating lunch and dinners, leading Sunday School as the Assistant Superintendent and teacher, standing with the Usher Board, singing in the Senior Choir, serving on the Mission Board or attending Bible Study and Vacation Bible School, her presence was known and very much felt over the years. Not only did she serve in her church, but in her community as well.

Her parents, RH and Johnnie Mae Henderson, two children: Rafus and Donald Henderson and nine siblings: Atradale, Mary, Rosie, John Paul, Marvin “Slick”, Maudie, Evelyn, Kervin “Chubb”, and Rickey preceded her in death.

Betty Jo leaves a legacy of love through her daughter: Cordelia (Billy) Irvin of Pittsburg, Texas; sons, Reginald (Tia) Irvin of Dallas, Texas and James Irvin of Pittsburg, Texas; four granddaughters: Zakia Irvin, Manisha Cotton and Lisa Champion of Pittsburg, Texas and Jasmine Henderson of Dallas, Texas; two grandsons: Keldrick Henderson, Jr. and Kadias Henderson of Pittsburg, Texas; four great grandsons: Tamar, Braeden, Corbin, and Keldreg; three great granddaughters: Zakaedyn , Zayla and Saylee; three bonus daughters: Annie Kay Irvin and Bettie Sue "Drew" Irvin of Dallas, Texas and Patricia (Morris) Peoples of Pittsburg, Texas; a special son: Arthur "Nicky" Nicholson of San Antonio, Texas; one sister: JoAnn (Earnest) Spencer of Plano, Texas, and two brothers: LH (Glenda) Henderson and LJ (Mavis) Henderson of Pittsburg, Texas and a host of other bonus grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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