Betty Jo Blackwood

Betty Jo Blackwood, went to her eternal home Wednesday October 1, 2025 after a brief illness.

She’ll always be remembered for her warm smile, upbeat manner and humor.

She spoke with a kind voice even if the subject was difficult. You left the conversation grounded in God’s love with hope and confidence for an optimistic future. A call to Betty Jo was a pick-me-up pill! She believed in sharing her blessings.

Her energy was constant with a get-it-done philosophy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herschal and Vadah (Tipton) Swiger, her sister Virginia Foster, and her husband of over 50 years Harold Blackwood.

Betty Jo is survived by her three children, Jim (Carolyn Hayes) of Norwich, Connie (Sam Jennings) of Chesterfield Virginia, and Sherry (Bryan Miller) of Chippewa Lake, Ohio.

Grand Children Katy Mears (Jeff) of Calvert Texas Andy (Marcie Fisher), and Jerry (Laura Dawson) of Norwich, Ohio. Great grands: Trey & Garrett Britton, Cody Blackwood and great-great grandchildren Amelia and Madison Britton.

Born November 7, 1925 she grew up in White Cottage, Ohio.

Betty Jo was a draftsman for the Hazel Atlas company in Zanesville, Ohio and served with the Civil Air Patrol during WWII. She met her husband Harold after he came home from serving in the Army and surviving the Battle of the Bulge. He was staying with his brother Luke who lived next door to Betty Jo and her parents.

After they married, Betty Jo and Harold bought a farm outside New Concord, Ohio. They first operated a dairy farm and later raised prize winning Shorthorn cattle, which the kids showed at the county fair.

Betty Jo established her own business as a home delivery for locally raised farm fresh eggs.

She grew an abundant garden and canned produce to feed the family throughout the year. She loved planning menus for family gatherings.

She could coax an ailing flower to bloom and flourish. She loved landscaping the grounds surrounding her home and worked with the New Concord Garden Club with projects beautifying the community.

Betty Jo mentored young people, teaching Sunday school and leading the Brownie troops and the 4-H clubs…helping with aspects that involved her children.

She was active with College Drive Church Women and Mothers’ Club.

She served the community as a presiding judge at the voting polls and helped with numerous events including tours at the John and Annie Glenn Museum

She enjoyed music, performing with Mothers’ Singers, Friendship 7 Sweet Adelines. She appeared in The Living Word Outdoor Drama.

Working for a time as a sales associate at CA Music, she helped local and traveling musicians reach for their goals.

She became an artist, painting landscapes and really cute animals, often in a farm setting.

Since the age of 2, many family vacations were spent at the fishing cottage in Canada, built by her father. This woman knows how to cast a lure!

She enjoyed travel for vacations and business functions with her husband… even traveling with friends to Paris and an interesting cruise experience immediately following the 9/11 attack.

In her life, “Jo’ witnessed small pox, polio and Covid. She saw the sound barrier broken, man on the moon -- horse drawn wagons, supersonic air travel and battery powered cars, indoor and outdoor toilets and the end of wars. That’s a lot to pack in nearly 100 years of life.

She developed loving relationships with church friends and neighbors in Virginia while spending time with her daughter and son-in-law Connie and Sam.

Memorial service will be in New Concord, Ohio

at College Drive Presbyterian Church October 11, 2025

11am visitation

Music 11:45 am

Service: Noon followed by lunch.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donation to College Drive Presbyterian Church in memory of Betty Jo (2 W. High St. New Concord, Oh 43762)