Betty Jo Rapert

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Betty Jo Pierce Rapert passed away September 3, 2022, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born on September 23, 1928, in Randolph County, Arkansas to the late William Roy and Sylvia Eula Farrow Pierce.

She attended school in Maynard, Arkansas where she met her high school sweetheart, Jake Rapert. They were married on August 28, 1949, in Pocahontas, Arkansas. They settled in Biggers, Arkansas where she fulfilled her life dream of being a wife, mother, and homemaker.

Jo was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Jonesboro since 1989 and the Coed 10 Sunday School class. There she volunteered in the Care Center for 2 years. She was also a member of St. Bernard Auxiliary, volunteering for 10 years. After the death of her husband, she moved to St. Bernard’s Village where she enjoyed friendships with many residents, staff, and special groups known as the “Gabba Gabba Girls” and the “Little Bingo Girls”.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jake, a brother Douglas Pierce, son-in-law Dr. John Knight, and great grandson Parke Henry Gibson.

She is survived by four daughters, Melinda Knight, Michele McGinnis (Jim), Margo Farris (Matt) all of Jonesboro and Monica Gibson (Dean) of Lavaca, Arkansas. Her grandchildren, Kristen Knight (Jason), Cody Knight (Cassie), Micah Gibson (Lindsey), Emily Coleman (Todd), Jeremy McGinnis (Hannah), Jennifer McGinnis, Bradley McGinnis, Adam Farris (Liz), and Lindsay Privett (Tyson). Her great grandchildren, Lydia, Madelyn, Aubrey, Landry, Collier, Bretton, Mabry, Jackson, Avery, Ella Kate, Stella, Sutton, and Ryker. One sister, Mary Ann Kincade.

Visitation will be held at the Emerson Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 1 pm with a Memorial Service following at 2 pm. Burial will be private with the pallbearers being Cody Knight, Jeremy McGinnis, Brad McGinnis, Adam Farris, Tyson Privet, and Jason Gill.

Memorials can be made to Dr. John Knight Baseball Scholarship, % ASU Foundation, PO Box 1990, State University, AR 72467 or First Baptist Church Care Center, 701 S. Main St., Jonesboro, AR  72401.