Betty Jo Coulson Taylor left her earthly life on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at her home in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
On the first day of summer, June 21, 1925 Betty Jo was born at her family’s farm in Arapaho, Oklahoma. Happily greeting this baby daughter were her parents William (Bill) and Mary Jane (Shephard) Coulson and brother, George and sister, Florence Ruth. Growing up on the farm, Betty Jo’s responsibility was to gather and milk the cows morning and night. Betty Jo attended school and graduated from Arapaho High School.
Her senior year, the love of her life, Nat Massey Taylor Jr., moved to Arapaho. They married, December 19, 1945 when he returned from service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While he was away she attended Southwestern University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
After they were married, Betty Jo and Nat lived in Clinton, Oklahoma where Nat started his career with Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Their two children, Linda Sue and John, were both born in Clinton. She loved being in this area because she was near her parents and the farm.
The Highway Patrol took Betty and Nat to many locations in Oklahoma. They settled in Stillwater, Oklahoma where they raised their family. Betty worked for the ASCS for many years serving the farming community in Payne County. Once retired, Betty Jo and Nat traveled the United States. She once said she and Nat had been in every state pulling their travel trailer.
Betty Jo was preceded in death by her parents, William Eugene and Mary Jane Coulson, and husband Nat Massey Taylor Jr.
Betty Jo is survived by her son, John Edward Taylor and daughter Linda Sue and her spouse Stephen Snow Gray.
She was known as Granny to her six grandchildren, who include Nat Robert Taylor and spouse Cameron, Cathy Jo Dennison and spouse Drew, Maryjane Tiffany Thompson and spouse Jon, Melody Sue Phelps and spouse Jeremy, Stephen Taylor Gray and spouse Emily, and Nataly Noel Murray and spouse Cody. Bringing her much joy were her seventeen great-grandchildren who include Taylor, Turner, Nathanael, Jax, Zachary, Grayson, Judson, Caitlin, Macey, Tinsley, Graycie, Bridger, Jay, Emme, Joe, Renner, and Ruth.
Betty Jo will be remembered for her great love of family and friends. Services for Betty Jo will be held on August 11, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home in Still-water, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to your favorite charity.
(Paid obituary)