Betty Jo Bartlett Paul, 73, of Ferriday, LA, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a memorial service immediately following from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In Lieu of flowers that family asks that donations be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or Pilots for Patients, PO Box 8178 Monroe, LA 71211.
Betty was born in Watertown, NY, on June 24, 1952. She grew up in Monroe, LA, where she graduated from Neville High School in 1970. In 1972, she married the love of her life, Lloyd “Buddy” T. Paul. Together, they operated the 84 Quick Stop in Ferriday for many years.
A lifelong learner, Betty returned to school and graduated from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) in 1987 with a degree in Elementary Education. She dedicated 30 years to the Concordia Parish school system, where she profoundly influenced the lives of countless students. Beyond the classroom, Betty was a devoted volunteer with local hospice organizations and a faithful member of Sevier Memorial Church (formerly Sevier Memorial United Methodist).
Betty is survived by her husband of 54 years, Lloyd “Buddy” T. Paul; two sons and their families: Aaron and Jennifer Paul of Ruston, LA, and Ryan and Tiffany Paul of Baytown, TX; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert “Bobby” E. Bartlett and Maureen G. Bartlett of Jackson, LA; and her four cherished grandchildren: Hayden, Annalise, Andrew, and Preston Paul. She also leaves behind her nephews and their families: Chad, Jordan, and Zach Bartlett, George Michael Guyer, and Taylor Fuller; and her nieces, Regina and Julie Hileman and many dear cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William G. and Bernice R. Bartlett; her sister, Beverly Bartlett Brown; her brother, William “Billy” G. Bartlett III; her niece, Bobbie Lynn Brown; and her nephew, Robert Lawrence Brown.
Honorary Pallbearers: Michael Ferguson, Ronnie Tyson, David Eames, Michael Guyer, Hayden Paul, Annalise Paul, Andrew Paul, Preston Paul and Julie Hileman.
