Betty Jo Paraham

Betty Jo Paraham (Toombs), 87, passed away on December 21, 2025, peacefully at her home. She was born on March 18, 1938, in Kansas City, Kansas as the only child to Jessie and Thelma Toombs (Berry). Both preceded her in death. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas where she attended and graduated from Sumner High School.

While attending high school she met and later married Earl Paraham on August 18, 1957, in Kansas City, Kansas. They were together for 65 years before his death. To this union they had four children. They moved their family to Kansas City, Missouri and eventually to Grandview, Missouri. Betty was employed with the federal government starting her career with the U.S. Postal Service. She continued this career transferring to the Internal Revenue Service as a Supervisory Tax Examiner where she retired after more than 30 years of service. Betty was also a co-owner of E F & B Trucking and other small businesses.

Betty enjoyed a quiet life with family. She often spent time relaxing and working on her favorite pastime of entering sweepstakes, where she won a few large prizes. She was also known affectionately as “Granny”. Her grandchildren meant the world to her, and she always made herself available to attend their school events, sporting events and other activities.

She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters: Joronda Franklin (Aaron), Cheryl Paraham, Tina Cole (Branham); one son, Earl “Fred” Paraham, Jr; four grandchildren: Michael Greenfield, Tasha Greenfield, Monica Bright, and Edward Jones; two great grandchildren: Marc Anthony Coleman, Cherish Bright, and a host of other relatives and friends.