Elizabeth Josephine Wells Bodiford

Elizabeth Josephine (Betty Jo) Wells Bodiford 78, was born on December 4, 1938 and went Home to see the Lord on Monday, April 3, 2017 at her home in Pensacola, Florida, after fighting a courageous and long battle of cancers. Betty Jo was a graduate of Catholic High School in 1957 and came from a large family of 15 siblings. Before retirement, she worked as an Activities Director at Homestead Village Retirement Home and was also a Foster Grandparent at Hallmark Elementary School. She was a published Author, who wrote poems about her life and adventures in Pensacola with her family. The title of her poetry book, “Joy as We Go”, describes her attitude about life and how it allowed her to live as long as she did with so many health challenges. She was an encourager for others and a soldier for God.

Betty Jo was welcomed into Heaven by her father, John Henry Wells; mother, Mary Abbie Wells; siblings, Mahlon Wells, Avalee Wells Kozaracki, Alta Pauline Wells Weil, John Henry Wells Jr., Thomas Wells, Edward Wells, Susan Wells Bruggensmith, Mary Abbie Wells Cosson, Philip Wells, Burnadette Wells Pitman; son, Michael Wayne Bodiford.

Survivors include her siblings, Robert Wells, Margaret Wells Harron, Helen Wells Foster and Marie Ann Arbuthnot Wells ; children, William Manning (Madeline), Jennifer Sewell (Douglas), Stephen Bodiford (Heather). Her grandchildren; Joannah Bell (Drew), Jentry Sewell, Alex Czajkowski, Ana Czajkowski, Samuel Bodiford; and her great grandchild, Camden Bell.

A sincere thank you to the Woodlands Medical Specialists for all their love and care over the years. A very special thank you to Dr. Inclan for his loving heart towards our mother. We want to sincerely thank the loving residents and employees of the Westminster Village Retirement Home for all their friendships, lunches, and bingo with our mother. She truly loved all of you more than you know. Love and thanks to her Catholic High School Lunch Bunch girlfriends who always watched over her and made sure she was able to get to all the fun events over the many years. A sincere thank you to our cousin and friend, Christine Loadholtz for helping transport mom to appointments and helping with her personal care. Your care meant so much to her and her family. If mom could leave a last word with us, she would most likely say, “Keep God first in your heart and treat others the way you want to be treated.” Our hero! We love you Old Bird!

Services will be held at Bayview-Fisher-Pou Chapel on Wed, April 19, 2017. Viewing from 10:30am-11:00am. Service will begin at 11:00am.

BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Highway is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.bayview-fisher-pouchapel.com.