Bettye June Starling

Bettye June Starling

1926-2020

Bettye June (Johnson) Starling passed peacefully into Heaven on March 4, 2020, with family at her side. She was born on July 11, 1926 in Lincoln County, northeast of Wellston, Oklahoma on her parents’ farm to Grover Cleveland Johnson and Lucinda Gertrude (Miller) Johnson. Bettye Accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age. Her grandfather was a Baptist Minister. She graduated from Wellston High School in 1944. After graduation she came to Edmond and attended Central State College, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught school for only one year at a small school south of Carney, Oklahoma named Oak Grove where she taught all 8 grades. During this time, she met her love Elgin Murel Starling who helped farm the land across the road from the school. They married March 6, 1946 and were married until Elgin’s death on February 16, 2015. To this marriage, they had one son, James Murel Starling.

She re-enrolled again at Central State College and graduated this time with a degree in business administration. She spent the next 30 years working for various insurance agencies and companies in Oklahoma City and Edmond. After that she decided it was time to just be a housewife and full time mother, and enjoy her home, her garden, and her flowers.

Bettye, Elgin, and James moved to Edmond when James was only 6 weeks old and have lived here ever since. Bettye loved to travel, and she, Elgin, and James vacationed in 42 states during her lifetime.

She is survived by her son James, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews Funeral Home. Her services will be held at The First Baptist Church of Edmond at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2020 under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Burial will be at the Carney Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.