Betty Marie Kelley (Meriwether)

Betty Marie Kelley of Chickasha, Oklahoma was born April 2, 1927 at Grandfield, OK to Lafayette Monroe Meriwether and Alta Pearl Smith. She joined a sister Alice and a brother Arthur. She attended grade school at Brush Creek North in Grandfield and high school in Chattanooga. Betty married Byrl U. Kelley in Grandfield on April 26, 1944. She and Byrl recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary and many years of love and devotion. To this couple, three children joined to their family, Jeanette Menaker, Joyce Thomas and Douglas Kelley. They raised their family in Texas, Alaska and came home to Oklahoma in 1964. They have been residents of Chickasha for the past thirty-four years.

Betty spent a faithful and loving Christian life serving others. When her children were young, Betty served as a Brownie, Girl Scout, and Cub Scout leader as well as being involved in their school events. She was a Charter member of the First Christian Church of Hurst, Texas and, one of the first Deaconesses of that church. When moving to Chickasha, Betty became a member of the First Christian Church and a part of the Rogers Circle. She never missed an opportunity to lend a hand. One of her fondest memories was the wonderful dinners the kitchen crew at the church served at the Annual Festival of Lights. She proudly and lovingly told stories of their hard work and the wonderful new kitchen equipment. She also spent many hours on serving and quilting projects she would donate to raise money. Betty was also a member of the order of the Eastern Star since 1959. She has served as Worthy Matron and Post Worthy Matron of O.E.S. of Chickasha. Betty worked for many years for the United Way and after retiring she returned to what Byrl calls her favorite and foremost occupation, homemaker. Betty loved to decorate, enjoyed the beautiful flowers she and Byrl grew and spent many hours doing all types of needlecrafts and sewing. Her love of sewing and quilting has been passed on to many through her numerous gifts and her inspiration.

Betty Kelley is survived by her loving husband, Byrl Kelley; her brother, Athur Meriwether of Houston, Texas; her brother-in-law, Winfred Self of Hydro, OK; her son, Douglas B. Kelley and wife Rachel of San Antonio, Texas and grandchildren Matthew and Maggie; her daughter, Jeanette C. Menaker and husband David of Haines, Alaska and grandchildren Trevor White and wife Gwen, Trenton White, Natasha, Katrina and Dave Menaker and great-grandchildren Cody, Jaime, and Evan; and her daughter, Joyce M. Thomas and husband Bill of Haines, Alaska and grandchildren Rhett Merida, Danny, Gabriel, Cole and Rhiannon Thomas and great-grandchildren Conner and Kieley. Betty was proceeded in death by her sister, Alice Self, and her grandson, Tyler White.