Betty Jo Thomas

Betty Jo Thomas passed away on March 18, 2026 in Springfield, MO, at the age of 93, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and complications from surgery.

Betty Jo was born Betty Jo Kensinger on June 9, 1932, in rural Webster Missouri, the first daughter of Bud and Minnie (Barton) Kensinger. She was born on a small farm to parents who worked in agriculture. After the birth of her sister, Jeanne, the family moved to a small farm on Tall Grass Road near Fordland, MO, where both girls lived until adulthood. Her memories of this time were those of hard work, but within a circle of friends, a warm home life and a loving family.

Betty Jo graduated from Marshfield High School in 1950. Soon afterward, her lifelong friend Norma Jo (Hiller) Meyers introduced Betty Jo to her boyfriend’s companion, a young man named Jesse Thomas. Jesse and Betty Jo were married soon after. The young couple had two sons, Steven and Jesse. Shortly afterward, the young family settled into their Springfield home on Cherry Street, where Betty Jo and Jesse were to remain for the remainder of their lives.

Betty Jo spent the early years of her marriage raising her two sons. As her sons reached school age, however, she decided to enter the work force. She worked in retail sales at stores including Barths, Zales, Famous Barr, and Macys until she retired in the 1980s. Upon her retirement she became politically active and spent much of her time reading books devoted to the lives and policies of political leaders. Upon her death, her extensive collection of nonfiction was donated to the Springfield libraries.

Betty Jo lived a very long life, and, as happens to people of her age, she had to endure the pain of experiencing the death of many loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Jesse Elmer Thomas, and her son, Jesse Eugene Thomas; her parents, Bud and Minnie Kensinger; and her nephew Wayne Myers. In her later years, Betty Jo experienced the difficult loss of her beloved sister, Jeanne Myers.

Betty Jo is survived by her son Dr. Steven L. Thomas and his wife, Jean; grandchildren Jessica Loughran (Neil), Morgan Li (Herman), Elizabeth Thomas, and Jesse Thomas; great grandchild Maggie Li; and nephews Pat Myers (Helen), Mike Myers (Nancy), and Chris Myers (Vicki).

There will not be a formal visitation or funeral service. There will be a graveside service at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at Panther Valley Cemetery, on Route KK in Webster County, MO, with Pastor Phillip Wright officiating. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.