Ms. Betty Jean Yarbrough

Betty Jean Yarbrough was born March 16, 1936 in Garrison, TX to Gracie Lee Bolton and Alford Bolton. She received Christ at an early age at Mount Olive C.M.E. Church in Garrison. She graduated valedictorian of her class from Garrison Colored High School in 1953 where she also played on the girls basketball team. She attended Texas Southern University where she majored in music. She married Johnny Alford Yarbrough in 1957and to this union Tyrone Ravelle, Rachelle and Rhonda Jo were born. Betty and her family moved to Denver, CO in 1964.She worked at Samsonite, and then IBM for many years–transferring from the company’s Boulder location to Austin, TX for three years before returning to Colorado. She retired from IBM in April 1990.After that she was a foster care provider and a home healthcare worker. She shared close friendships with many people including Effie Washington, Mary Mendoza, Mary Wiley, Esther Shaw, Bruce Fritz, Ed and Marilyn Hendrix, among others not mentioned here (forgive us for omitting anyone we may have overlooked).Betty solidified her relationship with Christ when she worshipped at Cleaves Memorial C.M.E. and St. Luke’s C.M.E.(both in Denver, CO) and the Valley Bible Chapel (Boulder, CO).She was preceded in death by her mother Gracie Bolton, her father Alford Bolton, her sister Mary JoLane, daughter Rhonda Jo Yarbrough and brothers Wendell Carver Bolton and Emmett Bolton. She is survived by her son Tyrone, daughter Rachelle, granddaughter Hannah and great-granddaughter(and namesake)Amara Jean(aka “Smooch”), sister Billie Joyce Bolton, cousin Dorothy Martin and sisters-in-law Clifford Byrd and Betty Louise Yarbrough. She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Angela Lane, Vickie Bryant, Tracy and Stephanie Williams, Bridgette Bolton-Petry and Derrick Hinkle-Bolton; great nieces and nephews Mary Faith Gipson, Banisha Chandler, DeKovan Lane, Troix Williams-Johnson, Jaxson and Bolton Williams, Jimaya Chandler, Isaiah Moore and Christian Hicks, Herbert Byrd, Janice Carrington, Yaulter George, Danny Yarbrough, Elsie and Lois Yarbrough, Byron Yarbrough, Belinda Yarbrough, Cassandra Wright, Gerrodeau Mast, Tracy Yarbrough, Henry Dove, Javalette Rogers and many many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ms. Betty Jean Yarbrough

March 16, 1936 - September 27, 2023