Betty Jo Bush Fields, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2023, at her home in Roswell, GA surrounded by her loving family.
Betty Jo was born October 16, 1936, in Bonifay, Florida to the late John McKinley Bush and Mittie Brackin Bush.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Fields was preceded in death by her siblings, Earl Bush, Jack Bush, and Murl Bush Howell.
After graduating as the class Salutatorian of Holmes County High School in 1954, Betty Jo attended Florida State University where she was very involved in her sorority, Delta Zeta. Not only was she a genius (literally), she was also a beauty queen (Miss Bonifay, 1957), and an excellent athlete.
She enjoyed playing 7 sports which ranged from basketball to softball; and won championships in volleyball and bowling.
After graduating FSU with a degree in education, she taught high school Math and English in Bonifay, Tampa, and Ft. Lauderdale. Betty Jo eventually moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she taught at Lakeshore High School.
During her teaching years, her summer breaks were spent traveling. She had the opportunity to see the world having visited multiple countries in Europe, Asia, and even the Middle East where she rode a camel, toured the Great Pyramids, and was baptized in the Jordan River.
Her passion for travel led her to leave teaching and pursue a career with Delta Air Lines, where she was hired as a computer programmer, one of the few women in the department at that time. During her 25 years at Delta, she was recognized on multiple occasions for her contributions as a systems analyst expert.
Her career at Delta meant her husband, Glynn, and two daughters, Brackin and Brennen, could also experience many of the same joys she’d had when traveling the world. Each fall season they would take the opportunity to fly overseas and experience a different country as a family.
Betty Jo was a devoted Christian. Her strong faith led to her involvement in many church leadership committees and activities. She was engaged in local missions and taught English as a Second Language courses to immigrants in the Conyers, GA area. But her most favorite activity was singing in the choir for more than 60 years.
Mrs. Betty Jo Bush Fields is survived by her husband, William Glynn Fields, Jr. of Roswell, GA, her two daughters, Jo Brackin Fields McLean and husband Steve of Smyrna, GA, and Brennen Fields Csont and her husband Dan of Sandy Springs, GA.
The celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 10th, at the First Baptist Church of Bonifay, FL. Services will begin at 11:00am, with visitation just prior at 10:00am.
