Mary Christine Beadle
1936 – 2023
Christine was born November 14, 1936 near Beggs, Oklahoma to Theodore Grover and Mary D. Hamilton (Loyd). She was the 3rd of 4 sisters born and raised in the area. After spending her youth in the rural area around Beggs Christine went on to graduate from Okmulgee High School in 1955.
Shortly after she followed her oldest sister Naomi to California, made some detours through Indiana and Washington and arrived back in Oklahoma City in 1971 rich with family and bit of West Coast spirit. During this time she was married to Francis Smart, father of her oldest son James Francis Smart (Jimmy) who predeceased her and her only daughter, Lauren Laverne Novotny. She married again, Gerald Beadle, and had Christopher Gerald Beadle (Buster) Also, during this time, “Daddy” Ted Hamilton went to West Texas and blessed her with 4 more sisters. Beverly, Suzie, Jennifer and Rosie.
After settling in South Oklahoma City and working as a Bartender for a few years, Christine bought her beloved Rafters Club with some family help. She then went to back to school, graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1980 with a 4.00 GPA and B.S. in Journalism. She then continued on to Law School at OU getting her J.D. in 1985. She went to work for Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma and dabbled in Private practice a few years before settling at Legal Aid in Oklahoma City in 1995 where she remained full-time until 2014.
She was a fierce advocate for the indigent and took great pride in helping all people avoid jail. As great as an Attorney she was, she was an even better Sister, Momma, Aunt and Grandma. Her quiet toughness and non-judgmental approach to people will be greatly missed. Her cooking was legendary and we will all miss that!
She is survived by: Her sisters Naomi Roberts, Louise Aldridge and Ida Mae Brown, (Ray) Beverly, Suzie, Jennifer and Rosie. Children; Laurie Novotny (Ken) and Christopher Beadle of OKC. Granddaughters; Amy Huff, (Joe) Jessica Smart, Jamie Smart, Brooke May, (Rory) Blair Valentine (Jason) all of Oklahoma and Grandson; Jeffrey Novotny of Virginia. She had 12 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to Legal Aid of Oklahoma. https://www.legalaidok.org/planned-giving/
Services will be held Friday, February 10th, 2023, at the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 10:00am. Interment is to follow at 1:00pm at Resthaven Cemetery.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
Christine was my cousin, my mother’s 1st cousin. I’m so proud and enriched to have known her and some of her many unique and loving traits. Christine didn’t talk a lot when I was around but when she did, I stopped and listened closely because it was something worthwhile! She was a special lady and will be truly missed!
My love and thoughts are with all my sweet cousins at this time. Christine was always sweet to me. She will be missed terribly by her kids, grandkids and siblings. My heart is with Chris and Laurie and my OKC cousins .
Love you all
Tracy