Obituary of Betty Jo Stokoe

Betty Jo Stokoe Went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Betty was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, February 12,1931. She led a colorful life, full of adventure and travel. Betty was the daughter of Bob and Fay Elliott, who at the time were following the rodeo circuit from town to town during the difficult days of the Depression. She had a close-knit extended family that provided love and support for each other and gave her comfort for her entire life. Later Betty's family settled in Buckeye, AZ where she finished her schooling and later married Leon Steves. She had her first and only child, Lynda in 1951. The young couple were separated by the Korean War and not soon after, divorced. A few years later, she married Bill Stokoe, a railroad signalman for the Southern Pacific RR. They traveled all over southern AZ, living in railroad-provided housing (a boxcar converted into living quarters). They lived everywhere from Yuma, AZ to Steins, NM, sometimes being parked out in the desert with no one else around. After 5 years of this pioneer living, they settled in Tucson for about eleven years. In 1968, Bill's job took them to Tehachapi, Calif.. They happily lived there for over 30 years. Betty fulfilled her dream of going to nursing school and worked as a nurse at Tehachapi Hospital for a few years. She fulfilled many of her childhood dreams of learning to ski, owning horses and traveling to Europe. After Bill's death in '99, Betty moved back to Tucson to be close to Lynda and her family, Betty became part of the Tucson Meadows community and made many friends who were very helpful during in the last days of her life. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Fay Elliott, her husband, Bill, and granddaughter Kelli Bailey Bonn. She is survived by daughter Lynda Bailey; son-in-law, Dan Bailey; grandsons, Sean and Ryan Bailey; and granddaughter, Cami Bailey Castle. A memorial service will be held at BRING’S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway on Friday, March 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers you may donate to your favorite animal charity in Betty's name.