Betty was born October 27, 1927 to Alvin Dean and Willie Lee Echols in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. She was the 5th of seven children. The Echols family was thrown into history by Pretty Boy Floyd while in Oklahoma. Pretty Boy Floyd and his gang were involved in a shootout and took refuge on the family farm. Betty recalled her vivid memory of Pretty Boy Floyd cleaning his ankle wound with a handkerchief being pulled through the wound. Read more about it in a published account in a book titled, Pretty Boy: The life and times of Arthur Floyd.

A true Dust Bowl family, the Echols' made their way to Ceres, California from Oklahoma in 1937. Alvin took employment as a caretaker of a large property and the family put down roots. Betty was part of the graduating class of Ceres High School in 1945.

In the spring of 1947, Betty Jo caught the eye of a strapping handsome fellow by the Name of William Capshaw, lovingly known as Smokey. He fell head over heels when he saw her conveniently in full make up and shorts washing cars in her rubber boots. They were married in November of 1947, Johnny and June said it best: "In a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout." Betty worked all Summer to purchase the material for her wedding suit, which was made with her precious hands.

Betty and Smokey made their way to Lompoc, California following Betty's sister Anna Mae and her husband Nick Tinney for employment opportunities at the Johns Manville Diatomaceous Earth mine. Here they started their family with firstborn daughter, Debra Kay in 1949. Four years later they added a toe headed daughter Barbara Jo, then a son, Bradley Dean. They added a baby brother Charles Russell in 1962.

Betty was a steward, a warrior if you will, to the Lord God our Savior. Her love of Jesus was not preached but shown to all she came in contact with. She knew no stranger. Her love was not a love of measurement. There was an ample amount and everyone got the same dose. Betty studied the word of God, often inviting door to door evangelists in to her home to study with her. She would not only quote the scripture but when she did you felt the scripture. Many of us close to her owe their lives due to her dedicated prayer and channel to the Holy Spirit on our behalves.

Betty worked for the Manville Credit Union as the office manager. When that closed she moved onto the Lompoc School District as a bus stop aide and a noon aide. The kids she oversaw were her babies and rain or shine she was there for them. She wouldn't leave a child to walk in the rain; much to the disdain of the school district she would often transport them herself. Children were her most favorite part of life. They were all precious in her eyes.

Betty attended the Lompoc Church of Christ for 60 plus years. There she found family and comfort in times of joy and times of trouble. Her church family was indeed her family and she imbedded herself and her children into the congregation.

In her younger years, Betty had ambitions of being an actress and even had a stage name. She enjoyed a challenging crossword, was an avid reader and had taken many psychology classes at Allan Hancock College, attending as a middle ager. There she learned how to psychoanalyze us all but it was done in the most loving way. Her involvement in Alanon and her Alanon Family became the support and love she needed as well.

Betty's favorite past time was her grandchildren. Debra gave her Stephanie Kay, Tori Lynnett, Kara Renee. Bradley gave her Mandy, Anna Mae, Jake Travis, Brooke Alyce. Russell gave her Charles William, Joshua Lee, Trey, Cienna Rose, Beth-Annie and in March of this year, Melody Rose. She then celebrated her great grandchildren. Stephanie gave her Clayton Thomas and Zachary Stephen, and Rhyse Aaron. Jake gave her David Bradley and Brooke gave her Boston William.

Every one of us were rocked, loved and cared for as if we were the only one. Her love again didn't know a level; it was given in equal parts. From her offspring to the bus stop children, Betty loved all.

Betty's interpretation of the word of God was literal. She housed, supported and guided many that crossed her door threshold. No one was ever turned away; she wouldn't have it. Her love was unwavering, even when it was detrimental. She was steadfast to the Lord's word: "Do unto to other as you would have them do unto you." She lived it, she breathed it and many benefited from her love.

Betty is survived her sister Wanda Swieso (Will) of Fresno, California; daughter Debra Tinney (Jerry); son, Russell Capshaw (Anne); grandchildren Stephanie Schaffer (Jason), Tori Tinney, Kara Skelton (Kyle), Mandy Scicchitano (Matt), Anna Mae Haines (Chris), Jake Capshaw (Julie), Brooke Capshaw (Loren Reeves), Charles Capshaw, Joshua Capshaw, Trey, Cienna Scheer, Bethanny Capshaw and Melody Capshaw; great grandchildren Clayton Greco, Zachary Greco, Boston Monclus, and Rhyse Schaffer; her blessed nieces and nephews, cousins and numerous friends and people she took under her wing.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Willy Echols, her beloved husband Smokey Capshaw, her children Bradley Capshaw and Barbara Capshaw; sisters Anna Mae Tinney and Patty Gullikson; brothers Eugene Echols and Lester Echols; her beloved son-in-law Jerry Tinney and nephew Gary Del Gullikson from her grandson Zachary Greco.

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace" (Proverbs 3:17).

I think we can all say that Momo's path was straight, and that it did not turn left or right. She was very selfsacrificing, which represents her charity. By doing this she prepared herself to meet our Lord Jesus Christ and to be accepted by God the Father Almighty. Peace is upon her, and we are all thankful for what she has given us; that is life.

From her grandson Joshua: "I want to tell the world that she was the best person and most caring I ever knew."

Betty Jo will be celebrated at the Lompoc Church of Christ, 136 North O Street, in Lompoc on Saturday, August 26, 2017, at 9:30 am. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery on South C Street. A luncheon will be served at 11:30 pm in the Lompoc Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.

Even as Betty's love was enough; so is yours for her. If, however you so desire, donations may be made to the Church of Christ in support of the Children's ministry.