Our sweet mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Betty Jo Tunnell Walker Handy, returned to her Heavenly Home in the early morning of 2 September 2025. Mama was 94 years old and soon to be turning 95. She was living in the Hidden Valley Assisted Living Center in Ogden, Utah. She was surrounded by loved ones the evening before her passing.

Betty was born on 28 September 1930, in Bluff City, Arkansas to goodly parents, Herbert Oliver Tunnell and Lena Grace Barksdale who loved her. Her daddy died when she was 9 years old. She had one sister, Reba Elzada, who proceeded her in death in 2006. We know Betty is having a lovely reunion with her parents and loved ones.

As a young girl her family moved from Arkansas to Casa Grande, Arizona because her daddy wanted them to have more. Arkansas was a hard life. The crops would get flooded out or burned out from no water. In Casa Grande Betty worked at the Martin Drug Store, Paramount Theater and Chief Theater where she sold popcorn, tickets, and was an usher. She and her sister Zada also picked cotton. For five pounds of cotton, they earned five cents; just enough money to go to the movie. After graduating from high school, Betty obtained her Cosmetology license from the Weavers School of Beauty in Phoenix. Betty was recognized as the beauty operator that could do hair the quickest in Arizona.

In 1952, Betty married Harold (Hal) Nolan Walker. Betty and Hal had two children, Brad and Ann. Betty and Hal's posterity has grown to six grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

In 1959, the family moved to Roy, Utah. Betty worked at the First National Bank of Layton, and she and Hal owned a car dealership together. After a few years Hal and Betty divorced. Betty became a car salesman - the first woman car salesman in the state of Utah. Hal later passed away on 28 January 2005.

Betty met Bert Cook and she fell in love again. Bert taught her to dance. For twenty-five years she was a partner with Bert and together they enjoyed the "Bert Cook Auction" business. They also bought and sold racehorses. Bert passed away in 1998. After his passing, Betty attended the Auction School in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1999, she was recognized as the first woman auctioneer in Utah.

Betty didn't dance for many years, and her labor of love was dealing in antiques.

This was very obvious if you visited her home.

Betty had several different callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: President of the Young Women's Mutual, Relief Society Secretary, Compassionate Care Leader, Primary Secretary, Temple Patron, Double Dose Instructor (teaching English to the Spanish speaking), and Temple Ordinance Worker in the Ogden Temple at age 82.

Betty was also known as Betty Jo, BJ, friend, mother, mama, and grandma. JoBo was a nickname that she had growing up. Her sister, Reba's nickname was Tator. Their daddy started calling them these nicknames. He always wanted boys so he called Betty and Zada his boys.

Betty always lit up a room when she entered. You knew someone special had just arrived. She had friends or made new friends everywhere she went. She was not bashful. She was inquisitive and enjoyed learning about others.

In 2008, Betty met George B. Handy. They married on 28 June 2012 and enjoyed being with each other for many years. George passed away on 1 August 2015.

Betty is survived by her two children who love her so very much. They will always be eternally grateful that as a young family she worked so hard to make sure her children had a good home, felt safe, loved, and cared for. Betty has a wonderful posterity from her son Brad (Donna) Walker, Ann (Wade) Hancey. Betty loved her grandchildren: Analee (Jared) Jensen, Michael Hancey, Adam (Crystal) Hancey, Aaron (Lori) Hancey, Wesley Hancey, and Amanda (Nate) Johnson. Betty also has 20 great grandchildren who she loves: Zakary, Quincy Jo, Tyke, Dax, Sadie, Luke, Dallin, Chloe, Brandt, Ty, Riley, Kaitlyn, Eden, Stella, Jacob, Daine, Carter, Delaney, Ellie, and Grayson.

A wonderful "Celebration of Life" was enjoyed on 4 September 2025 at the Hidden Valley Assisted Living. Many dear friends came and each shared fun stories, memories and their love of Betty Jo. A special slide show was shown.

Betty's favorite scripture is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Betty's favorite quotes are, "Do good unto others, as you would have them do unto you," and "Everything will work out."

Betty's creed for living a good life is to obey the commandments as closely as you can, love your family, be happy, tell each other you love each other every day, have good friends, stay busy, and pray daily - sometimes all day. If we obey the commandments and follow the Savior's teachings, we will never be on the wrong path. We need to hold on to the iron rod, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.