Betty Jo (Schmidt) Forbes

Betty Jo (Schmidt) Forbes, 77, of Odessa, Missouri passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, Missouri surrounded by her loving family. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 

Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 South 2nd Street, Odessa, Missouri, 64076, 816-633-5524.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, 2024, at the funeral home. Interment to follow in the Odessa Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Helping Hands in Odessa, MO. Memories of Betty and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.

Betty was born on July 26, 1946, in Jackson, County, MO to Charles W. and Erma P. (Hergemueller) Schmidt.  She graduated in 1964 from Odessa High School.  On August 17, 1985, Betty was united in marriage to James “Jim” Franklin Forbes, Jr. in Odessa.  They resided in Lexington, MO for many years until he preceded her in death on August 14, 2008.  Betty worked for Whittaker Cable in Lexington for many years and retired from Lake City Ammunitions after 25 plus years of service.  In addition to spending time with family and friends, Betty enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling.  

Betty is survived by two children, Connie (George) Nelson of Excelsior Springs, MO and Brian (Cinda) Eastabrooks of Odessa, MO; four grandchildren, Tanner (Shianne) Eastabrooks of Odessa, MO, Jeremy Frost of Lawson, MO, Ashley Frost of Jacksonville, FL, and Reagan Eastabrooks of Greenacres, FL; one great-grandchild, Rowyn Eastabrooks; two sisters, Bernice Gann of Odessa, MO and Nancy Flynn of Odessa, MO; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by a sister, Erma Jean Bybee; and two brothers, Charles Ray Schmidt and Robert William Schmidt.