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Obituary information for Bette Jo Yearwood

By A Mystery Man Writer

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Bette Jo Yearwood was the sweetest, kindest and most generous soul I have ever known. We are blessed that she was our Mama, Mom and Mom-Mom. She dearly loved her family, friends and pets with all her heart. She relished nature and her daily walks with her dogs through her beloved woods. Those walks through the woods to the pond, the buttercup field or to the hidden valley were a family ritual while growing up and during every visit we had with her and which she continued until her last days. Nature was her refuge, her solace, her peace.She is survived by her sons Joe Yearwood (wife, Michele), grandsons Reid and Clay Yearwood, Andrew Yearwood, grandson Zack Yearwood (mother Marilyn Viernes Yearwood; wife, Rachael) daughters Eve Yearwood (husband, Chris Miller) grandson Whit Ball and Dr. M. Selena Yearwood, (husband, Sheldon Life), late daughter Scarlett Queen. Bette Jo and her late husband Wayne Yearwood were married for 65 years.Upon moving to Vincent, Ohio from Nashville, Tennessee in 1966, Bette obtained a teaching position at Beverly Elementary School where she taught kindergarten for close to 20 years. She loved her job and the countless children who were positively influenced by her and who in turn dramatically impacted her life. Bette's desire to make an important difference in people’s lives rubbed off on all of us. Her kind spirit and joyous laugh were truly infectious and she cared deeply for all. As her grandson, Reid recently told her, “You have been an inspiration to me and everyone else.”Bette enjoyed her many friends she met at Layman United Methodist Church where she attended faithfully, taught Sunday school and was an active member since we arrived in Vincent. She cherished many wonderful neighbors, co-workers and friends through the years and along the way. She volunteered for many years at the Western Washington County Food Pantry and Thrift Store in Vincent.She also rescued and took in every stray dog and cat that came her way and plenty of them did. Even one crow named Rufus raised from a baby was a devoted pet for quite a while as was a snapping turtle in the pond named Larry.Her vegetable and flower gardens were her pride and joy, another trait she instilled in all of us - the love of gardening. She spent more time outdoors than not. On her morning and evening walks during every season she would always take note of God’s magical handiwork and write beautiful poems about it. Last October, one of her comments about the leaves on the trees in the woods was, "the vibrant colors were like a match had been struck to them with brilliant flames of yellow, orange and red. They are the prettiest I have ever seen.” She saw glory and beauty in every living thing and she never wavered from her unconditional love. We all loved her very much. And we always will.Bette’s soul passed peacefully at her home under the expert and caring guidance of Marietta Memorial Hospice, her son Andrew, visiting family and friends, her longtime devoted dog Luka always by her side and her two cats, Nala and Tilly. She once told her grandson Clay, “that a purring cat on your lap was better than an aspirin.” There is still a purring cat on her lap and a garden where Jesus is waiting.A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Mississippi Queen room at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Ohio on Sunday May, 5, 2019 at 1:00 PM. A light buffet will be available before and after the service.Online condolences and guest book may be signed at .