Source: http://www.wilsonfuneralhome.net/obituary/3699620

Betty Jo McCarty-Roberts
December 29, 1943 - May 3, 2016

Betty Jo McCarty-Roberts, 72, became a guardian angel on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. She was born in Winnfield, LA on December 29, 1943. She grew up in both Sikes and Winnfield, LA.

She played basketball for Winnfield High School and was known for her right-hook shot. She valued the friendships gained there and throughout her lifetime.

She earned her Bachelors of Science at Angelo State University, her Masters of Education at McNeese State University then her Doctor of Education at Oklahoma State University. She valued education stating if she could she would make a career of being a full-time student.

She has been a resident of Panama City, FL for over 25 years. She was a Florida State University professor from 1989 to 2004, where she taught Elementary Education. She loved to teach and genuinely cared about her colleagues and students.

Her love of gardening prompted her to stop frequently at strangers homes to inquire as to what kind of flower that was in their yard. Her other interests included writing, poetry, and genealogy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Roberts; by her parents, Cecil and Mottice McCarty; and a sister, Jeanette Greene.

Those left to cherish her memory include her eight children Jay Jordan (Rhonda), Kris Newsome (Ken), Paul Hailey (Sandy), Danny Branscum (Brandy), Sarah Hailey, Mary Lee Carr (Ed), Judy Stafford (Bill), and Vickie Pierce (Michael); her two sisters, Vera Robertson Abrams (Austin), Dianne McPhearson (Roger); and her brother W.C. McCarty, Jr. (Linda).

She is survived by her 18 grandchildren, 12 fuzzy grandbabies, 14 great-grandchildren, as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

She loved each one of us unconditionally and in our own unique way. Over the years, she shared some of her favorite stories such as her grandson, Bryce, catching fish in “Jo Jo's” pond and her telling him, we're going to fry these up with him responding “I'm a catch and release man Jo Jo!” She loved his kind and caring spirit.

Then there was her little grandson, Daniel, who she always would tell “I know that lady, she's the crazy lady that loves me!”

She enjoyed playing with her great-grandson, Quinton, by running her long fingernails up his arm tickling him to make him laugh and giggle.

The family will cherish the loving memories and celebrate her life in Panama City, FL at Wilson's Funeral Home on Saturday at 10 a.m. and at a later date in Sikes, LA at Hurricane Grove Baptist Church. Friends and family are invited to join in the celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to the Bay County Humane Society or to the American Cancer Society in memory of Betty Jo McCarty-Roberts.