Betty Jo Hunter

Betty Jo Sims Hunter, age 97, passed away peacefully at her home in Waxahachie on January 6, 2026 with her son holding her hand. She was born to J.H. & Jimmie (Nall) Sims of the Bethel Community and was raised and educated in Ellis County, graduating from Forreston High School in 1945. Mrs. Hunter was married to Billy Jack Hunter on January 1, 1949. She taught kindergarten for several years while the family lived in Snyder, Texas. When the family returned to Ellis County in 1972, Betty served as the office administrator for 20 years at Presbyterian Children’s Services. Betty was a long-standing member of Bethel Community Church and in April 2024 marking the 100th Anniversary of the Bethel Church Building, the church noted Betty as the Longest Living Member. Betty served in several areas of the church over the years. She was also on the Board of the Bethel Cemetery Association and kept its books for more than 36 years, turning them over to her nephew in October 2025. She also was a member of the Baylor Medical Center Auxiliary and on September 24, 2019 was presented an Emeritus Award for 25 years of service, dedicating 4,705 voluntary hours.

She is survived by son, John Mark Hunter, of Waxahachie and daughter Leanne Blankenship and her husband Greg of Plano; granddaughter Jill and her husband James Hyten (and great grandchildren Sophia Merchant and Crew Hyten) of Carrollton; grandson Clay and his wife Danielle Blankenship (and great grandchildren Samuel, Hunter and Van Blakenship) of Lewisville; one brother, J.B. (“Johnny Boy”) Sims of Waxahachie, one sister, Janyce Sims Meroney of Austin, Texas, four nieces and nine nephews, many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents (Papa and Mama), her husband (Billy), her sister Jimmie Lou Stephenson and her husband Glenn, Martha Ann Byers and her husband Ervin, her sister-in-law, Helen Louise Sims, and her brother-in-law, Joe Don Meroney, special friends from her high school days and two special traveling companion friends and many others she cherished.

Thank you to her special caregivers Lisa Garcia, Debbie Hammock and Emma Elerson for all their love and support. Another thank you to Bristol Hospice for the care and compassion provided to Betty.

Pallbearers will be Betty’s nephews and honorary pallbearers will be her nieces.

There will be a graveside service for Betty at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Bethel Cemetery, 534 Bethel Road, Waxahachie, Texas 75167. Heath Sims will officiate. 

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Bethel Cemetery Association, 3120 FM 876, Waxahachie, Texas 75167, or the charity of your choice.