Betty Jo Stone – October 27, 1935 – May 11, 2026

Graveside services for La Junta, Colorado resident, Betty Jo Stone will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May
15, 2026, at Fort Lyon National Cemetery in Las Animas, Colorado with Pastor Mark Cloer officiating.
Betty Jo Stone, 90, of La Junta, Colorado, passed away on May 11, 2026, at Parkview Medical Center in
Pueblo, Colorado. She was born on October 27, 1935, in Swink, Colorado to George and Nola (Blakney)
Broce.

Betty attended a rural country school and later graduated from Kim High School, where she was active
in the Glee Club. She went on to attend Otero Junior College before meeting her future husband of 70
plus years, James M. Stone, while visiting family in Miles City, Montana. The couple was united in
marriage in November of 1954 and together built a life centered around faith, family, and hard work.
In the late 1980s, Betty returned to Southeast Colorado to help care for her mother, with James
rejoining her in the early 1990s.  She was a clerk in the fabric department at Walmart for many years.

She found joy in the simple pleasures of life and especially loved sewing, gardening, bowling, and
collecting Betty Boop memorabilia. Betty treasured time spent with her family and friends and will be
remembered for her caring heart and devotion to those she loved.

She is survived by her husband, James Stone, daughters, Donna (Mark) Sindelar,
Linda (John) Sharkey, Sandy (Burt) Prichard, Cheri Stone, and brother, Howard “Bud” (Rose) Broce; six
grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; many other relatives and a host of friends.
God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around her and whispered,
“come with me” with tearful eyes we watched her suffer and saw her fade away.  Although we loved her
dearly, we could not make her stay.  Her golden heart stopped beating. Her hardworking hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us; He only takes the very BEST.   We miss you, Mom.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kenneth James Stone; and brothers, Charles Broce,
Ralph Broce, and Donnie Broce.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Valley Funeral & Cremation in Las Animas, Colorado.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.valleyfuneralcremation.com.