Betty Jo Rakes

ODE TO BETTY JO RAKES LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH A SMILE FOR OTHERS BETTY JO SING RAKES 10/27/1933 - 10/25/2022 Betty Jo passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Visalia on Tuesday morning. She was 2 days from her 89th birthday. The odyssey of her life has ended. She was always at her most happy place when she could help others. She loved her husband and kids with her whole heart. She fulfilled her dream of visiting Hawaii last year, where this photo was taken. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Jerry Max Rakes and her son, Michael Joe Rakes. She will be laid to rest by her husband’s side at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside. She adored the central coast and spent many a day at Pismo Beach. Her late husband, Jerry wrote this as their philosophy of life: “Early established positive thought patterns are essential to an enjoyable way of life. Happiness is obtained only through helping others and self-sacrifice – that can make us proud and successful so we may influence others positively.” Betty would add: “our door is always open, we like to see you happy, and … diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” At age 8, Betty began her odyssey touring local schools, playing her Hawaiian guitar and that is where jerry first saw her and became infatuated. She became a majorette and she and her girlfriends became a force to be reckoned with as they ruled from their booth at Crow’s Drug Store. Betty won every dance contest she entered. Jerry wooed and won her and they married in her senior year and the family began. Betty possessed a keen ability to read people she met almost immediately. She saw their true spirit and drive through any façade they might put forward. This enabled her to see who truly needed attention or help and whom she could confide in. if you were a friend, you were a friend for life. She is survived by her son, Randy and his husband, Jack Rakes of Visalia, CA and by her daughter, Melissa and her husband, Russ Gentile of Park Ridge, IL. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. And she is survived by Genesee, her cat for the last 19 years who is a Queen, just as she was. Betty will be always remembered as a quiet Force of nature, that just by her silence and an intense eye, she could accomplish anything. That will continue to guide us as we continue to live on without her physical presence. We thank her for being here and giving us purpose.