Betty Jo (Garton) Lance, 84, Savannah, Missouri; passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Betty Jo was born on December 23, 1939 in St. Joseph, Missouri, to the late Herbert and Neola (Teaford) Garton.  Betty graduated from Behler Grade School and was a 1957 graduate of Savannah High School.  Betty received her bachelor's degree in education from Northeast Missouri State University.

Mrs. Lance was a teacher for the St. Joseph and Savannah School Districts for twenty-eight years, and touched the lives of many students throughout her tenure.  Prior to her teaching years, Betty co-owned and operated Lance's House of Flowers.

Betty was a member of the First Christian Church, the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and the Ladies Auxiliary for Missouri LICA.  She enjoyed flower gardens, crafting and scrapbooking.

Betty Jo married Caryl Dean Lance on June 25, 1961 in Cosby, Missouri.  They were married for fifty-eight years, before he preceded her in death on July 3, 2019.

In addition to her husband and parents, Betty Jo was preceded in death by her grandson, Andre Lance; brothers, Fred and Gene Garton; niece, Jody Bauman; and nephew, John Bauman.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Paige Lance; granddaughter, Allie Lance; brother, Richard P. Garton; sister, Susan Bauman; nieces and nephews, Patricia Saxon, Jeff Lance (Caelene), Kent Lance, Sheryl Jermain (Gary), Pam Pranschke, Terry Bauman (Stephanie), Dena Watkins (Clay), Tammy Smith, Richard L. Garton (Jamie), Kim Mildward (Scott) and Travis Garton.

Funeral Service 2:00 PM Wednesday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith Savannah Chapel, where the family will receive friends prior from 12:00 to 2:00 PM Wednesday.  Interment Bennet Lane Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in care of the HNB Bank of Savannah, to assist with overdue lunch accounts for students in the Savannah School District.