Rich Valley, Virginia

Betty Jo Orr, age 81, died Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Betty Jo lived a life of legendary Christian service to her Rich Valley community. She taught Sunday school for most of her life at Riverside Church, where she made a positive impact on the lives of generations of families. Throughout her adult life she diligently prepared devotions for her church congregation and Sunday-school lessons for the fortunate members of her class.

She was a youth-group and Bible-school organizer and probably the biggest supporter of the RV Council of Churches' Bible program.

Betty Jo loved nature, playing Bridge, celebrating holidays, watching sports and game shows, working crossword puzzles, reading her daily devotion books, and keeping in touch with friends and family members with her phone. She created cookbooks with her mom and wonderful meals enjoyed by her family and countless friends through the decades at home and at church.

She was a giver who blessed those she loved with spiritual and material treasures, including deliveries of homemade food or financial assistance when people were experiencing rough patches. She lovingly packaged individualized holiday gifts for members of her youth group and Sunday-school class that brought her and them joy and set an example of what it means to be a Christian giver.

Betty Jo was also a retired elementary-school teacher and spent the early part of her life working on her family's dairy farm as well.

Her brother Jerry and his wife, Cindy Burkett, along with Betty Jo's church and community families inherit a legacy of Christian love and service that's impossible to duplicate.

An informal church service honoring Betty Jo's memory will take place on Saturday, August 9, at 10 a.m. at Riverside Church, 428 Riverside Church Rd., Saltville, VA 24370. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations to Riverside Church (instead of flowers) may be sent to 4501 Valley Rd., Saltville, VA 24370.

Online condolences may be expressed at drhendersonfuneralhome.com. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Betty Jo Orr.