Betty Jo Klock

Betty Jo Klock passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz, California on February 9, 2023 at the age of 72 years old.

Betty Jo was born on September 24, 1950 to Beulah Cunha and Cecil Tanner in Rayville, Louisiana. She attended Oklahoma City Southwestern Junior College where she was in the school choir and graduated in 1973. She then moved back home to Watsonville, CA and she began her career in caregiving, working as a CNA at a local, skilled nursing facility. Not long after, she met the love of her life Wallace H. Klock III (Wally Klock). Soon after they were married and on May 31, 1976, they welcomed their baby girl Sophina. In 1984, Betty Jo became ill. She still tried to work, but her daughter at the age of 8 years old, had begun looking after her and has been ever since.

On September of 1999, she was diagnosed with a serious illness, which then turned into multiple illnesses, where she could no longer work and take care of herself. No matter how sick she got throughout her life, Betty Jo was a very strong, independent woman with a heart of gold. She was so full of life and love in her heart. Betty Jo had a smile that could light up a room. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and cousin. She was so kind, considerate, humble, had a gentle soul, and was one of a kind. Betty Jo enjoyed spending quality time with her family and loved ones. One of her favorite shows to watch was the Food Network. She loved to make her famous Southern yam bake every Thanksgiving and liked to go out, especially to the Snow-White Drive-In for ice cream cones in Aptos. As time passed on her health worsened. On February 9, 2023 God called Betty Jo home to join him in heaven, where she is no longer suffering and is living eternal life, pain free.

Betty Jo is survived by her daughter Sophina Cathalene Klock (George Felder Jr.), her grandchildren: Alisa Marie Sanchez (Carlos Mejia), Brandon Adrian Castillo, Adriana Mary Castillo, Niko Wallace Castillo, and her great-granddaughter Ariella Sanchez-Mejia, her brother Douglas Tanner of Watsonville, her sisters: Carolyn Tanner-Plog of Oklahoma, Alice Andrews of Alabama, Juanita Hawthorne of Indiana, and Dora Cantu of Washington, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in Press Banner and The Pajaronian · February 16, 2023