Betty Jo Stainback Buchan

Betty Jo Stainback Buchan, of Henderson, passed away at her home on January 21, 2025 at the age of 83. Born in Warren County on June 10, 1941, Betty Jo was the daughter of the late Charles Gray Stainback and Rosa Thompson Stainback and was the widow of Richard Duke “Scooter” Buchan, Jr (1940—1987). There was no one quite like Betty Jo, affectionately known as “GoGo.” She was one of a kind. With her quick wit, boundless charm, and unforgettable sass, she lit up every room she entered. She could spin humor out of any situation, find the fun in the mundane, and always stayed true to herself. She had an uncommon ability to make everyone feel like family—whether through a welcoming smile, a long phone conversation, a shared joke, or a knowing glance that said everything without saying a word. Betty Jo graduated from Middleburg High School, where she shined as a cheerleader, Beta Club member, and Monogram Club leader. She attended East Carolina University before marrying the love of her life, Scooter. A hard worker with an independent spirit, she built a successful career. Her career began as a secretary with Fuqua Mobile Homes, then as the office manager for 31 years with Holland Industrial, which she considered her second family. Betty Jo also shared her musical talents as the organist for Brookston Presbyterian Church and, later in life, served as the bookkeeper for Middleburg Methodist Church. To know Betty Jo was to have savored her homemade sourdough bread, laughed until you cried at something she said or did, and, perhaps, been put in your place a time or two. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, solving the Daily Dispatch crossword puzzle, finding a bargain at a yard sale, indulging in a good afternoon nap, and walking and spinning at the Henderson “Y.” She adored Elvis Presley, black coffee brewed in her vintage percolator, a tomato sandwich on white Wonder bread coated with Duke’s mayonnaise and salt and pepper, nightly-applied Retin- A skin cream, and a piece or two of butterscotch hard candy. A colorful button-up shirt and bright lipstick were quintessentially GoGo. She also had an extraordinary ability to stay connected, literally. Betty Jo was a master of the lost art of the phone call, often spending hours catching up and checking in with the people she loved. Whether from her armchair or while multitasking around the house, she made sure everyone knew they were always on her mind. Above all, Betty Jo treasured her family. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she traveled across the U.S. and Europe to be with them. She instilled in those around her a sense of humor, a respect for hard work and frugality mixed with limitless generosity, and a commitment to doing the right thing even when it wasn’t the easy thing. She was disarmingly wise which made her a trusted counselor to many. Whether it be a playful occasion like teaching her grandkids how to make “free” lemonade at a restaurant with water, lemon, and Sweet’N Low, or her signature way of turning everyday moments into lifelong memories, Betty Jo’s life was a masterclass in living fully, loving deeply, and never taking yourself too seriously. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard Duke Buchan III, and his wife, Hannah, of Palm Beach, FL; her daughter, Jo Dee Buchan Di Ruzza, and her husband, Barry, of Charlotte, NC; her six beloved grandchildren, Alexander “Alec” Antonio Di Ruzza, Olivia Rose Di Ruzza, Cecilia Jo Di Ruzza, Catherine “Cate” Swift Buchan, Richard Duke “Beau” Buchan IV, and John Francis Buchan; her brother, Ronald Ervin Stainback, Sr., and his wife, Nancy, of Middleburg, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family extends special thanks to her caregivers, especially Jacqueline Jiggetts and LaShonda Dixon, for their years of daily care, love, and dedication. A private funeral service will be held at Middleburg Methodist Church on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews: Chuck, Mark and Alan Ellington; Ronnie and Rodney Stainback; Richard Blanks; and Trent Grissom. Afterwards, a graveside service at Sunset Gardens for all family and friends will be held at 12:00 PM followed by a Celebration of Life Reception from 1:00 until 3:00 PM at the Henderson Country Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association (Alzheimer's Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer's Disease https://act.alz.org/site/Donation ) or Middleburg Methodist Church (PO Box 100, Middleburg, NC 27556) in Betty Jo’s honor. Online condolences may be made at www.jmwhitefuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are trusted to J.M. White Funeral Home.