Betty Jean Johnson

With great sadness, our family announces the passing of Betty Jean Johnson. Betty died at the age of 92 in the early morning hours of December 26, 2025, after having spent Christmas Day with her family at the home of Larry and Linda Conover in Waitsburg, Washington. It was a day filled with love and special moments.

She loved her family and appreciated the time she spent with them. One of the last things she said on Christmas Day was that she wished her children were little again, and that she was doing all of this for them.

Betty was born on July 23, 1933, in St. John, Washington, to her parents, Cora (Cody) and Cecil Swift. She started school in Grand Coulee and attended Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, where she was a good student. She especially loved singing in the choir and playing the violin.

In 1948, when she was a sophomore in high school, she met the love of her life, Bobbie Lee Johnson, at a roller rink party. After dating for several months, they were married on August 22, 1948, in Cashmere, Washington. Shortly after they got married, they started their family. Their children were all born in Spokane. Their eldest daughter, Sherrie, was born in 1949; the twins, Belinda and Linda, in 1950; Bobby in 1951; and Mitzi in 1953. Betty was a loving wife and doting mother.

The family lived in Spokane for several years and enjoyed going to nearby Liberty Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene with friends and family. Betty also enjoyed baking, cooking, and sewing. Through the years, she enjoyed making special birthday cakes for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

As an ironworker, Bobbie often traveled out of town for work. It was difficult for him to be away from his family, so when the children were in grade school, it was decided that the family would travel with him. Over five years' time, the family lived in Oregon, Utah, Montana, and Arizona. They moved to Waitsburg, Washington in 1962, and decided to stay and call it home.

Betty and Bobbie enjoyed spending time with their children and their children's friends. Their house was always filled with laughter. For much of Betty's life, she enjoyed going to movies and plays, often taking her children and grandchildren with her. Later in life, she became a Gonzaga Bulldogs fan.

Betty lived in Waitsburg for several years after the death of her husband in 1973. She attended Walla Walla Community College, where she received her G.E.D. She then worked for DSHS in Dayton for several years. In 1982, she moved to the Seattle area to be closer to Mitzi, Sherrie, Bobby, and their children. She worked as a nanny for several years before she moved to Kennewick to be closer to Belinda, Linda, and their children.

She later lived in Dayton, Walla Walla, and College Place before moving back to Dayton. At the time of her passing, she resided at Rivers Walk Assisted Living.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bobbie, her daughter Sherrie Land, her mother Cora Hart, father Cecil Swift, stepmother Norma Swift, stepfather Pete Hart, sister Sammy Long, brother-in-law Gene Anderson, son-in-law Ron Sullivan, nephew-by-marriage Gene Crothers, and nephew Danny Anderson.

She is survived by her children, Belinda Garner (Terry), Linda Conover (Larry), Bobby Johnson (Nita), and Mitzi Sullivan.

She is also survived by her grandchildren Melanie Land, Justin Land, Dayne Johnson, Layce Silvey, Jillian Sullivan, Stephanie Williams, Ian Johnson-Williams, Kaylee Anderson, Cody Garner, Barb Cooper, Christie Primiano, Jennifer Garner, and Terry Garner, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Madilyn, Daniel, Christopher, Carter, Ellis, Nora, Emma, Dayton, Breanna, Jada, Anthony, Emily, Eli, Makayla, Sophia, Chase, Lyla, Cade, and Cole; and great-great-grandchildren: Elowin, Kendon, and Jaxon.

Betty's family would like to thank her good friends Jeanie and Dianne for the many hours they spent visiting her at Rivers Walk. They made her feel very special. We would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Rivers Walk Assisted Living in Dayton, Washington for the exceptional care she received while she was there.

Betty recently converted to the Catholic faith and was baptized on July 27, 2025. Her service will be held at the Waitsburg Catholic Church this spring, with a graveside service to follow at the Waitsburg City Cemetery.