Betty Jo Vaughan Kidwell

Betty Jo Vaughan Kidwell, age 95, passed away January 14, 2021, at a local nursing home in Mineral Wells.  Betty was born December 1, 1925, in the Sturdivant Community, the daughter of Raymond and Lena Elizabeth Loan Vaughan.  She was a proud 1942 graduate of Mineral Wells High School.  Upon graduation, she was recruited to become a telephone switchboard operator for Southwestern Bell, located in busy downtown Mineral Wells, where she met her future husband James “Jerry” Kidwell, whom she wed May 2, 1945. Betty officially retired from the switchboard at Camp Wolters in 1959. She and her husband Jerry were longtime Mineral Wells residents, where they chose to raise their seven children. Betty was also known for her baking, canning and beautiful hand quilting skills and was very proud of her many Palo Pinto County Fair ribbons, acknowledging her hard work. Betty was a past member of the Mineral Wells Woman’s Club, Palo Pinto General Hospital Auxiliary and MWVFD Auxiliary.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years Jerry Kidwell, her daughter Mary Elizabeth Hilliard and husband Gene, son in law Dwight Munger, sisters Mayme Ruth Armstrong and husband Alan, Letha Raye Brannon and husband Wilson, Retha Faye Cameron and husband Jack and her sister-in-law Elizabeth Vaughan. 

Betty is survived by her daughters Jerri Ann Munger of Anna, Tx, Linda Benton and husband Joel of Euless, TX, Vicki Kidwell and Keith Boyd of Mineral Wells, TX and sons Jim Kidwell and wife Debbie of Hudson Oaks, TX, Bob Kidwell and wife Debbie of Granbury, TX, Rich Kidwell and Andie Kay Joyner of Mineral Wells, TX; grandchildren Jason Munger, Amanda Munger Williams (Brian), Jami Blue Miller (Chad), Keri Blue Keis (Chris), Aaron Kidwell (Tina), Janet Kidwell, Brande Briggs Sims, and Becky Briggs Randall (Caleb), 14 great grandchildren; Brothers John “Shotgun” Vaughan and William “Bill” Vaughan and wife Cynthia; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A celebration of life for Betty Vaughan Kidwell will be scheduled for a later date.

The family request, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Dept or Palo Pinto County Meals on Wheels.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents at the Lakewell House, Mineral Wells Nursing and Rehab and Solaris Hospice for their loving care of our mother. Their kindness never went unnoticed and was always greatly appreciated.