It’s often said that faithful servants never retire, and Betty Jo Barker never did. God actually retired her.

Mrs. Barker died September 22 after a brief illness. In fact, the Tuesday night before her death on Sunday, Mrs. Barker attended the Ladies Guild meeting at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

“She did an enormous amount of work for her church, especially the Ladies Guild, which is now preparing for its annual Christmas holiday sale. It was one of her favorite projects,” said Mrs. Barker’s daughter, Debbie Alexander.

“Her faith was most important to her. She was a ‘cradle Catholic,’ in fact, her father, Joe O’Brien, was the second Catholic in this community. Mother at the time of her death was the longest-tenured member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church,” shared Debbie.

Betty Jo was the daughter of Joe and Anna Grace Snyder O’Brien, and had deep Irish roots. Although her father was a Catholic, and the parent, whose faith she chose to follow, her mother was a Baptist and attended First Baptist Church. Her mother died when Betty Jo was only eight years old. Being an only child, she and her father were very close all throughout his life.

“My mother lived a very long and good life. When we were growing up, she was a strong disciplinarian. She was not one of these ‘just wait until your dad gets home parents,’ she ruled with an iron hand. Both, Richard and I, are the better for it,” Debbie shared.

“My mother was a wonderful cook and she always cooked more than enough for just her family because she never knew how many of our friends we were going to bring home with us. Our house was the gathering place in the neighborhood, and my parents always made our friends feel welcome,” Debbie said.

Betty Jo was very supportive of her children. She worked in the cub scouts, Brownies, PTA, and the Band Boosters. “She and Pearl Smith were in charge of the refreshment stand for a long time,” said Debbie. “She supported us to the 10th degree.”

In addition to being a wife, mother, and supporting her children in their activities, Betty Jo had her own interests. She was a member of the Friends of the Library and helped each year in the annual book sale. Her favorite club was the Women’s Civic Club, where she made so many life-long friends.

And, of course there was the birthday club, which was dreamed up by some of her long-time friends (mainly, the late Margaret Allen). Each month they would get together to celebrate birthdays in the group. “I remember when Mom turned 65, she wore a black dress, veil, black gloves, and walked in with a cane when she went to the birthday club party. They were just a fun group who enjoyed getting together and celebrating with friends,” Debbie said. She noted that her mom was a practical joker and loved to tease.

Among her other activities were playing bridge and reading, but because of her failing eyesight in later years, had to give up these activities.

In her early years, Betty Jo worked for a time in the payroll department at American Bemberg Corp., but gave up her job when and her husband, Sam, began their family.

Betty Jo was the daughter of a former Elizabethton City Councilman and is now the mother of a city councilman. Her son, Richard, presently serves on the council.

“I remember Mom used to talk about the war years when there was little gasoline. And, one of her favorite things to do when she was young was to walk to town to see a movie. Many times, I’ve heard her say, ‘I wish I had a nickle for every time I walked to town to see a movie,’” Debbie shared with a smile.

Those stories and other deeds are just many of the precious memories that Betty Jo Barker left for her children. But the best legacy was her enduring faith and the example she set as a true servant.