1927-2022
Betty Jean Matthews was born in Earlsboro, OK on December 31, 1927 to Jesse and Minnie Ross. As Betty was growing up, World War II cam along. Betty’s dad was exempted from serving because his work, a Blacksmith was considered necessary for the war effort. Her older brother Melvin, had to serve in the Seabees so there was no one to help her dad so it became Betty and her sister Joyce’s job in spite of Betty being scared of horses.
The family lived at the edge of town, so they rode an old bicycle back and forth to help. Betty attended Liberty Grade School and graduated from Sallisaw High School in 1945. She then enrolled at Northeastern state Teachers College (Now Northeastern State University) in 1949, with the last issued Lifetime Teaching Certificate. She taught classes in both grade and High School for five years.
Betty married Earl L. Matthews July 18, 1947, in Wagoner, Oklahoma. They were married almost 63 years when Earl passed from this life on March 10, 2010.
Betty taught school for five years and then worked in accounting departments at Wm. E. Davis Co and Sonic Industries. She retired from sonic on her birthday in 1989.
Betty and Earl lived in Tahlequah, Sallisaw, Muldrow, Antioch, California, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, The Village, Edmond and Piedmont. Their house in Piedmont was destroyed by a tornado May 24, 2011. Betty rebuilt and lived at Falcon Lake in Piedmont until 2013 when she moved back to Edmond.
Betty was a member of Deer Creek Church of Christ until August 2021 when she moved her membership to 9th street in Edmond. She began volunteering in 2013 at Edmond Medical Center and was named volunteer of the year in 2016, she also volunteered with the Edmond Historical Society.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Earl, son Anthony, her parents, two brothers, Melvin and Jerry and only sister Joyce.
She is survived by her beloved children, Randy and Barbara Matthews, Earlene and Robert Posselt and grandchildren, Kyle fiancé Barbara, Kris and Chelsey Matthews, Great Grandchildren, Colton, Cannon, Remy and Jonas Matthews, step daughter, Margaret Keith and her family, brother John Ross and numerous nieces and nephews.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Westview Boys Home, PO Box 553 120 W. Broadway, Hollis, OK 73550.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 3rd at the Deer Creek Church of Christ. Public visitation will be held at Matthews Funeral Home on Friday, December 2nd from 12:00-8:00 p.m.