Betty Jo Chatham

Betty Jo Chatham, of Kosse, passed away at Providence Healthcare in Waco on Friday, May 15, 2015, at age 83. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at the Kosse City Cemetery, with Brother Floyd Stanley of the Church of Christ of Kosse officiating. Betty Jo was born August 21, 1931 to Alvie Lee Baker and Gladys Faye Smith Baker in Reagan. She grew up in Falls County at McClanahan (Spunky Flatt.) She attended Eureka School and finished school at Marlin. Betty Jo married Don Waddle in 1950 while he was a soldier at Fort Hood. She and their three children lived in Germany while he was stationed there, and the children attended school at the military post in Germany. They moved to Kosse after Don retired from the military in 1966, and Betty Jo became a widow when he passed away in 1968. In 1983, she met and was married to William (Billy Jeff) Chatham and they made their home together in Kosse. Betty Jo worked as the City Secretary of Kosse for over twenty years. She wore “all the hats” while working for the City, including City Judge, City Tax Collector, and managing the Housing Authority. Betty Jo loved taking care of her home and her family, and had a special fun relationship with her two girls and with her son Butch. His death in 2004 left her with grief for him the rest of her life. She loved to travel; vacation trips with Billy Jeff and special trips with her daughters to New York and San Francisco. She and Sandy and Vicki giggled and laughed when they were together, and she was admired by them as a strong woman and their idea of the perfect lady. She took pride in her clothes and stylish shoes, was always “put together,” and they enjoyed shopping and having lunch together. She loved eating out at the cafes in Kosse (because she hated to cook.) She was a big fan of scary movies, watching until all hours of the night. And she loved her Peanut M&Ms. Betty Jo (B.B.) adored all of her grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, attending every Sunday in Kosse for many years. She was active and in good health until she suffered a fall from a massive stroke last week. Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Don Waddle; her son, Preston (Butch) Waddle; and her sister-in-law, Glenda Baker. She is survived by her husband, William Jefferson Chatham of Kosse; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy and Rick Clary of Waco and Vicki and John Willis of Waco; her grandchildren: Heath Mitchell and wife Heather of Thornton, Brad Mitchell of Dallas, Russell Allen and wife Marcie of Waco, Doug Willis and wife Crystal of Round Rock, Traci Waddle of Kosse, and Troy Waddle and wife Mary Anne of Thornton; fifteen great grandchildren; her brother, James Baker of Groesbeck and niece, Donna Baker. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial donations be made to the Church of Christ, P.O. Box 24, Kosse, TX. 76653.