Betty Lou Ware
September 23, 1936 – January 31, 2020
Betty Lou Ware, 83, a loving sister, aunt, and friend, passed from this life on January 31, 2020, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
She was born on September 23, 1936, in Wynona, Oklahoma to Lawrence W. and Ruth (Smalley) Ware, and she was baptized into Christ in Pawhuska, OK in 1951. Her paternal grandparents came to Osage Co., Indian Territory, before statehood, from McKinney, TX. Her maternal grandparents came to Oklahoma from Arkansas.
As a child Betty’s family lived in Henderson, Nevada, where Betty spent most of her school years, graduating from Basic High School in 1955. She attended one year of college at Central Christian College (now Oklahoma Christian) when it was located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Betty worked for most of her career as a clerk-typist and a loan closing clerk, dedicating many years to the Bank of Nevada in Henderson, NV, to the Claremore Federal Savings and Loan in Claremore, OK and to Select Force in Edmond. She helped care for her parents in Claremore in their later years and then moved to Edmond in 1995 to be near family.
Betty was a soft-spoken, kind-hearted, faithful servant of God who treasured her family and her church family. Those who knew her know that she expressed her love through oatmeal cookies, sour cream cake and banana bread. She made cross-stitched and hand-sewn gifts for new brides and new babies.
The mail she sent to family was usually in the form of a personalized card, sometimes including a newspaper clipping of something that would interest them. The phone calls she made to loved ones were usually for a quick check-in or to notify them of a Lawrence Welk episode she thought they might enjoy. Aside from her large shoe collection, Betty lived a simple lifestyle. A trip to Braum’s for milk and Panera for bread were part of her routine, and an opportunity to attend service at Memorial Road Church of Christ was a highlight of her week.
Considered a family historian, Betty loved to share pictures of her family members and tell stories of her family history. She loved to plant flowers every spring and summer and watch the birds in her yard. She also loved to follow the sports seasons of her favorite teams on TV. She will be missed by many and will be remembered for her sweet laugh and her sweet spirit.
Betty is survived by her sister, Phylis McWherter of Broken Arrow, OK, her sisters-in-law Linda Ware and Virginia Ware, her nephews, Philip McWherter, David Ware, and Ryan Ware and their families, her nieces, Jamie Smith, Robin Miller, Beth Ann Astor, and Melissa Dodson and their families, and numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her father and mother, her brothers Dean Ware and John Ware, her infant brother, Charles, her brother-in-law, Baughn L. McWherter, and her nephew, Gary McWherter.
A formal visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma from 6-8 PM.
A graveside Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, February 7, 2020, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Memorial Road Church of Christ Care Ministry, 2221 E. Memorial Road, Edmond, OK 73013.