Betty Jo Darby Brown November 30, 1930 – April 16, 2026
Born in Florence, Alabama, to Alma Phillips Darby and William “Frank” Darby, Betty Jo married Bryce Brown on January 7, 1950 in Iuka, Mississippi. They were married for 67 years until his passing in 2009. Betty peacefully passed in her sleep in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 95.
Mourning her loss are her beloved family: daughter Sheila Forsyth (husband Michael Smith), son Timothy Brown (wife Donna McKean), granddaughter Brooke Burke (husband John Burke), grandson Shayne Forsyth (wife Amanda Forsyth), and cherished great-grandchildren Hayes Burke, Carter, Liam, and Hattie Forsyth, who affectionately called her “GG.”
Betty and Bryce lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for 36 years, where they were active members of the Church of Christ in San Pablo and Pleasanton, California — a fellowship they continued in Springfield, Missouri and Florence, Alabama. Betty left a legacy of loyalty, diligent work, and gracious hospitality, whether opening their home to family and friends or welcoming them into their Airstream travel trailer while serving alongside The Sojourners. She volunteered on behalf of numerous Children’s Homes and helped build a home for displaced women and children.
Betty worked in food service for Amador Valley Schools in Pleasanton and Dublin High School, where she was beloved as “the Baker.” In 1968 she earned her GED at Camp Parks, California — proudly attending classes alongside the Job Corps Boys. An avid reader, she also learned to sew, crochet, and knit, and traveled the country with Bryce many times over. She was a formidable opponent in Scrabble, Bingo, and Rook. Above all, Betty loved her family, her friends, her children, and her grandchildren. Her legacy was faithfulness, congeniality, and hard work. Her hallmark was hospitality.
She will be honored at Greenview Memorial Park & Chapel on April 28th, with Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and Funeral at noon. Address: 3657 Old Chisholm Road, Florence, Alabama 35633.
Our cousins Joe and Judy Henderson lovingly sacrificed a tremendous amount of time and effort in transporting Betty, a household of furniture, and her car to the Ozarks from Florence, Alabama in 2013. We thank them from our hearts.
The family extends special thanks to the staff at Waterford Assisted Living, and especially to Emily Morgan, a dedicated home health aide who over many years became a true friend to Betty. We also thank Danielle Cox and baby girl “Wisdom,” who brightened the life of our little red-headed mama!
