Betty Jo Keaton (nee Johnson) passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Betty was born on July 10, 1935. She attended Oakdale High School, where she loved playing basketball. Later in life she was passionate about cheering on the Oakdale Warriors, Wampus Cats, her LSU Tigers, and the New Orleans Saints.
In her 89 years, she witnessed many conversions and transformations. Her resilience and unwavering optimism helped her navigate the many challenges and changes she faced, like growing up during the Great Depression, experiencing World War II, the Korean War, the assassination of JFK, losing her husband in the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the moon landing, 9/11, and everything else this crazy rock laid before her.
Betty Jo was fiercely independent and adventurous, with a quick wit and a heart full of compassion. She had a spirited and generous soul, was always ready to lend a hand or share a laugh. Her warmth and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met, and made friends feel like family. She was a vibrant and feisty individual, known for her boundless energy and infectious laughter. Her home was always a sanctuary for those in need; her culinary skills brought joy to many gatherings and created a home away from home for many servicemen and women. Her legacy of love, hospitality, and community spirit continues to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.
For Betty, thrift shopping was not just a hobby but a way to express her creativity and resourcefulness. She found joy in finding unique pieces that she could gift to her loved ones, always believing that each item would fulfill a need or had a special story to tell. It didn’t matter that they did not feel the need or understand the story. She knew best.
Betty loved to travel yet hated to fly. She would tell you, “I need to smell the gas” or “I can’t let the grass grow under my tires.” And in her last years of solo driving, she kept us kids on our toes. We never knew where she was going to show up. Well, until we learned about Life 360 and could track her. Betty’s adventurous spirit was contagious and will always be remembered fondly, and her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched and the family she cherished so dearly.
Betty was preceded in death by her father, Ivy Gilbert Johnson; mother, Grace Mae (Jordan) Johnson; husband, Everett Dennis “Butch” Keaton; longtime companion of 35 years, George Baumgardner; brothers, Milton Ivy, Troy Gilbert, Ivy Gilbert Jr., Michael Wayne Johnson, and Carson H. Johnson Jr.; and grandson, Thomas-Jeffrey (TJ) Dennis Self.
She is survived by her children, Debby Cleghorn (Jerry) of Pineville, Louisiana, Sherian Edwards (Donald) of Leesville, David Laird (Kulpreeya) of Beaumont Texas, Elaina Keaton-Crenshaw (Aaron) of Leavenworth Kansas, and Roy Harris III (Rebecca) of Cocoa, Florida; sister, Patricia Meyer (Ricky) of Scott, Louisiana, and Debra Mayo (Billy) of Colyell, Louisiana; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Betty will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville with Reverend Mark Christian officiating under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. A visitation will be held at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.