Betty Jo Ables Brookman was born November 13, 1929 to A.D. and Jewel Mae Ables in Hollis, OK. She passed away on April 23, 2021.
She is survived by her sister Ruth Clayton, son Steve and his wife Gail, daughter Mary Ann and her husband Rory Rosenbalm, four grandchildren, David, Philip, Logan, and Lacy, and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Farris, and her sister Margaret. Betty and her sisters Margaret and Ruth grew up in Hollis, OK.
She became a Christian in 1941, played on her high school basketball team, and graduated from Hollis High School in 1948. Betty attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK and worked as a maid for the university president’s wife.
In 1949, Betty met Farris and they were married on March 12, 1950. They moved to Cordell, OK and graduated from Southwestern University in 1954.
From 1953-1955, Farris and Betty taught school in Sickles, OK, beginning their teaching careers before their college graduation. Farris taught Math and Betty taught Home Economics.
Just a few years older than her students, Betty was very close to her “home ec. girls” and stayed in touch with many of her Sickles students throughout her life. In 1956, they moved to Clinton, OK where Betty taught Home Ec. in the Rehab Dept. of the TB hospital.
After moving to Manitou, OK and then Butler, OK, Betty began teaching 3rd grade in Butler. In 1967, the family moved back to Clinton, where Betty continued teaching 3rd grade. A patient and gifted teacher, Betty taught in public school for over 25 years, and taught children’s Bible classes at church for 50 years.
She taught Steve and Mary Ann both in school and Bible class. After retiring, Betty taught GED and ESL classes for over 10 years. Even in her 90’s, Betty designed short Bible lessons (including “homework”) for her great grandchildren. In 2003, Farris and Betty moved to Edmond, OK, living on the same street as Steve and Mary Ann.
They were actively involved in the Empty Nesters Bible class at the Memorial Rd. Church of Christ. Betty spent her whole life showing kindness to others. She volunteered with Hospice and Meals on Wheels. She loved to garden, cook, and sew and share the things she made with others.
She enjoyed sending cards of encouragement and sewing quilts for needy families. She especially treasured family get-togethers. She baked red velvet cake, pecan pie, and family favorites like “pull-apart rolls” and beans and cornbread. Betty loved the Lord and cherished her family and friends. Her greatest desire was to help her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren go to Heaven.
Visitation will be from 1-8 on Monday April 26 at Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, OK, with the family greeting friends from 5-7 PM. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday April 27 at the Memorial Rd. Church of Christ in Edmond, OK. Memorial gifts may be made to the Westview Boys Home in Hollis, OK. To share a memory or condolence, please visit matthewsfuneralhome.com.