Jan Marie Bettis
1956-2022
Jan Marie Bettis passed from this world on July 19, 2022 in Oklahoma City after courageously battling a series of difficult health issues over the past few years. She’s now healthy, whole and sharing eternity with her Lord.
Jan was born on September 16, 1956 in La Mesa, California to loving parents Bill and Jane Forrester. The youngest of four children, Jan spent most of her childhood and teenage years near sunny San Diego with big brothers Larry, Bob and Mark.
After her brothers left California for college in Oklahoma, the rest of the Forrester family followed in 1972. Bill took a position serving at Westview Boys Home in Hollis and Jan spent her remaining teenage years in southwestern Oklahoma. She graduated from Arnett High School in 1974.
While working in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Jan met Robert Bettis. Robert and Jan married on January 20, 1984. They were loving, attentive parents to Jeremy, Jeff and Jamae. The Bettis home was a lively place, with Robert and Jan frequently hosting family and friends.
Jan loved children and she loved and cared for dozens over the years at her in-home daycare. Many of these children still consider “Miss Jan” a second mom. She was especially excited when grandchildren began arriving and “Grammer” was her very favorite role to play. The Bettis family attended the Wilshire Church of Christ where Jan volunteered in the Rainbow Village children’s ministry. She attended and served at a variety of church camps over the years as a volunteer and cook.
Jan was a Sooner fan and especially loved OU women’s basketball and softball. She could often be found watching or attending games with longtime friend, LoAnn.
Robert and Jan loved to travel and camp and the Bettis family enjoyed vacation spots like Red River, New Mexico; Branson, Missouri; and, of course, trips back to California to see family and friends. They more recently frequented Lake Tenkiller and were looking forward to retirement there.
Jan is survived by her husband of 38 years, Robert; son Jeremy Thompson and wife Debbie; son Jeff Bettis and wife Kelley; daughter Jamae Walker and husband Terry; and daughter Wendy Yeakle. She was “Grammer” to eleven grandchildren — Zane, Hailee, Kaela, Cora, Hanna, Colin, Charlie, Jc, Peter and Bella. Jan leaves behind her big brother, Bob, special nieces and nephews, and far too many precious friends to count or include here — you know who you are! Jan was preceded in death by her parents, by brothers Larry and Mark and by her longtime sidekick LoAnn Holiday. We’re confident she’s enjoying sweet, sweet reunions.
Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.