Bettye was creative, curious, friendly and very political. She was born to Jim and Ayleene Nance on July 3, 1918 and her early life experience included participating in her family's political activities and service to the communities in which they lived. Bettye lived into her 90th year, celebrating her last birthday with an Elvis impersonator and sharing the fun with family, special friends and her fellow residents of Rose Manor in Shawnee. Bettye was especially excited that she was able to vote in the recent national election and to help elect a longtime family friend, Frank Sims, to the Shawnee City Commission. Bettye's life ended peacefully on Nov. 10, 2008.
Betty was born in Marlow, Okla., and joined siblings, Jim Jr. and Mary Rosamond. The family moved to Walters, Okla., and then to Purcell where she graduated from high school. Her love of politics was a result of her father's long career as a State Representative, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, State Senator and President Pro Tem of the Oklahoma State Senate. Her family owned numerous community newspapers which influenced her choice of studying journalism at The University of Oklahoma. She was proud to boast that she graduated from the OU School of Journalism, first in her class, in 1940.
It was at The University of Oklahoma that she made wonderful friends in her sorority of Pi Beta Phi and met the love of her life, Ben Langdon, who proceeded her in death in April, 1999. Following their marriage in June of 1940, Betty and Ben moved to Mangum, Okla., where they owned and published the Mangum Star until moving to Norman in 1973. They raised their family in Mangum, were active volunteers in the community, enjoyed many wonderful friendships and especially appreciated the unique beauty and recreational opportunities of Quartz Mountain State Park. Bettye was thrilled that she water-skied at Quartz Mountain on her 50th birthday! She was so inspired by that accomplishment that she climbed mountains in Colorado and Big Sur, CA with her children and grandchildren when she was over 70.
Her marriage to Ben brought her an additional joy in the relationship with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Francis and Gloria Langdon and their family. She always viewed them as a "gift" in her life, much like the wonderful addition of Maxwell McCurdy when he joined the family as the husband of her sister, Rosamond.
While living in Norman, Bettye wrote a recipe column for the Norman Transcript which included unique stories about the person sharing the recipe. She developed a decorating business which utilized her creative abilities but it was her love of politics that was her passion. She and Ben were both active in the Democratic Party of Cleveland County. She tirelessly campaigned for candidates with whom she shared beliefs. Her requirement for support included a desire to help those in need or who could not help themselves. There was a time when she "crossed over" to support Henry Bellmon, and her respect for him never diminished!
Upon moving to Shawnee in 1995, Betty and Ben immediately volunteered to deliver "Meals on Wheels". They often laughed that they delivered meals to many folks who were younger than they were!
Bettye felt that we should be actively involved in life! In her own life she demonstrated a love of reading and desire for knowledge, an intense curiosity about things as well as people, an enjoyment of physical activity and a commitment to caring about and helping those in need. She believed that it is important to be involved in activities of our community and family and that our lives are enriched by having a dog to love! Some of her favorite stories were about the beloved family Airedale, Prince.
Bettye is survived by her son, Benj Langdon and his wife Rebecca of Big Sur, CA and her daughter Nance and her husband Jeff Diamond of Shawnee. Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura and her husband Doug Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., Jeffrey and his wife Carol Diamond of Shawnee, Jay Diamond of Dallas, Texas, and Koe and Dylan Langdon of Big Sur, Calif.; great-grandchildren include, Elise, Lily and Luke Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., and Jack and Elise Diamond of Shawnee. Fortunately for them, she passed along a spirit of adventure that has served her children well and will, no doubt, influence the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Heartland Hospice of Shawnee (3700 N. Kickapoo, Ste. 104, Shawnee, OK 74804) or to The Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice (OCCJ), an organization that represents her belief that all people should be treated with dignity and respect (100 West Fifth Street, LL 1030, Tulsa, OK 74103).
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, at 10 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee.
Betty was born in Marlow, Okla., and joined siblings, Jim Jr. and Mary Rosamond. The family moved to Walters, Okla., and then to Purcell where she graduated from high school. Her love of politics was a result of her father's long career as a State Representative, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, State Senator and President Pro Tem of the Oklahoma State Senate. Her family owned numerous community newspapers which influenced her choice of studying journalism at The University of Oklahoma. She was proud to boast that she graduated from the OU School of Journalism, first in her class, in 1940.
It was at The University of Oklahoma that she made wonderful friends in her sorority of Pi Beta Phi and met the love of her life, Ben Langdon, who proceeded her in death in April, 1999. Following their marriage in June of 1940, Betty and Ben moved to Mangum, Okla., where they owned and published the Mangum Star until moving to Norman in 1973. They raised their family in Mangum, were active volunteers in the community, enjoyed many wonderful friendships and especially appreciated the unique beauty and recreational opportunities of Quartz Mountain State Park. Bettye was thrilled that she water-skied at Quartz Mountain on her 50th birthday! She was so inspired by that accomplishment that she climbed mountains in Colorado and Big Sur, CA with her children and grandchildren when she was over 70.
Her marriage to Ben brought her an additional joy in the relationship with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Francis and Gloria Langdon and their family. She always viewed them as a "gift" in her life, much like the wonderful addition of Maxwell McCurdy when he joined the family as the husband of her sister, Rosamond.
While living in Norman, Bettye wrote a recipe column for the Norman Transcript which included unique stories about the person sharing the recipe. She developed a decorating business which utilized her creative abilities but it was her love of politics that was her passion. She and Ben were both active in the Democratic Party of Cleveland County. She tirelessly campaigned for candidates with whom she shared beliefs. Her requirement for support included a desire to help those in need or who could not help themselves. There was a time when she "crossed over" to support Henry Bellmon, and her respect for him never diminished!
Upon moving to Shawnee in 1995, Betty and Ben immediately volunteered to deliver "Meals on Wheels". They often laughed that they delivered meals to many folks who were younger than they were!
Bettye felt that we should be actively involved in life! In her own life she demonstrated a love of reading and desire for knowledge, an intense curiosity about things as well as people, an enjoyment of physical activity and a commitment to caring about and helping those in need. She believed that it is important to be involved in activities of our community and family and that our lives are enriched by having a dog to love! Some of her favorite stories were about the beloved family Airedale, Prince.
Bettye is survived by her son, Benj Langdon and his wife Rebecca of Big Sur, CA and her daughter Nance and her husband Jeff Diamond of Shawnee. Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura and her husband Doug Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., Jeffrey and his wife Carol Diamond of Shawnee, Jay Diamond of Dallas, Texas, and Koe and Dylan Langdon of Big Sur, Calif.; great-grandchildren include, Elise, Lily and Luke Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., and Jack and Elise Diamond of Shawnee. Fortunately for them, she passed along a spirit of adventure that has served her children well and will, no doubt, influence the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Heartland Hospice of Shawnee (3700 N. Kickapoo, Ste. 104, Shawnee, OK 74804) or to The Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice (OCCJ), an organization that represents her belief that all people should be treated with dignity and respect (100 West Fifth Street, LL 1030, Tulsa, OK 74103).
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, at 10 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee.
Bettye was creative, curious, friendly and very political. She was born to Jim and Ayleene Nance on July 3, 1918 and her early life experience included participating in her family's political activities and service to the communities in which they lived. Bettye lived into her 90th year, celebrating her last birthday with an Elvis impersonator and sharing the fun with family, special friends and her fellow residents of Rose Manor in Shawnee. Bettye was especially excited that she was able to vote in the recent national election and to help elect a longtime family friend, Frank Sims, to the Shawnee City Commission. Bettye's life ended peacefully on Nov. 10, 2008.
Betty was born in Marlow, Okla., and joined siblings, Jim Jr. and Mary Rosamond. The family moved to Walters, Okla., and then to Purcell where she graduated from high school. Her love of politics was a result of her father's long career as a State Representative, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, State Senator and President Pro Tem of the Oklahoma State Senate. Her family owned numerous community newspapers which influenced her choice of studying journalism at The University of Oklahoma. She was proud to boast that she graduated from the OU School of Journalism, first in her class, in 1940.
It was at The University of Oklahoma that she made wonderful friends in her sorority of Pi Beta Phi and met the love of her life, Ben Langdon, who proceeded her in death in April, 1999. Following their marriage in June of 1940, Betty and Ben moved to Mangum, Okla., where they owned and published the Mangum Star until moving to Norman in 1973. They raised their family in Mangum, were active volunteers in the community, enjoyed many wonderful friendships and especially appreciated the unique beauty and recreational opportunities of Quartz Mountain State Park. Bettye was thrilled that she water-skied at Quartz Mountain on her 50th birthday! She was so inspired by that accomplishment that she climbed mountains in Colorado and Big Sur, CA with her children and grandchildren when she was over 70.
Her marriage to Ben brought her an additional joy in the relationship with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Francis and Gloria Langdon and their family. She always viewed them as a "gift" in her life, much like the wonderful addition of Maxwell McCurdy when he joined the family as the husband of her sister, Rosamond.
While living in Norman, Bettye wrote a recipe column for the Norman Transcript which included unique stories about the person sharing the recipe. She developed a decorating business which utilized her creative abilities but it was her love of politics that was her passion. She and Ben were both active in the Democratic Party of Cleveland County. She tirelessly campaigned for candidates with whom she shared beliefs. Her requirement for support included a desire to help those in need or who could not help themselves. There was a time when she "crossed over" to support Henry Bellmon, and her respect for him never diminished!
Upon moving to Shawnee in 1995, Betty and Ben immediately volunteered to deliver "Meals on Wheels". They often laughed that they delivered meals to many folks who were younger than they were!
Bettye felt that we should be actively involved in life! In her own life she demonstrated a love of reading and desire for knowledge, an intense curiosity about things as well as people, an enjoyment of physical activity and a commitment to caring about and helping those in need. She believed that it is important to be involved in activities of our community and family and that our lives are enriched by having a dog to love! Some of her favorite stories were about the beloved family Airedale, Prince.
Bettye is survived by her son, Benj Langdon and his wife Rebecca of Big Sur, CA and her daughter Nance and her husband Jeff Diamond of Shawnee. Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura and her husband Doug Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., Jeffrey and his wife Carol Diamond of Shawnee, Jay Diamond of Dallas, Texas, and Koe and Dylan Langdon of Big Sur, Calif.; great-grandchildren include, Elise, Lily and Luke Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., and Jack and Elise Diamond of Shawnee. Fortunately for them, she passed along a spirit of adventure that has served her children well and will, no doubt, influence the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Heartland Hospice of Shawnee (3700 N. Kickapoo, Ste. 104, Shawnee, OK 74804) or to The Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice (OCCJ), an organization that represents her belief that all people should be treated with dignity and respect (100 West Fifth Street, LL 1030, Tulsa, OK 74103).
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, at 10 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee.
Betty was born in Marlow, Okla., and joined siblings, Jim Jr. and Mary Rosamond. The family moved to Walters, Okla., and then to Purcell where she graduated from high school. Her love of politics was a result of her father's long career as a State Representative, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, State Senator and President Pro Tem of the Oklahoma State Senate. Her family owned numerous community newspapers which influenced her choice of studying journalism at The University of Oklahoma. She was proud to boast that she graduated from the OU School of Journalism, first in her class, in 1940.
It was at The University of Oklahoma that she made wonderful friends in her sorority of Pi Beta Phi and met the love of her life, Ben Langdon, who proceeded her in death in April, 1999. Following their marriage in June of 1940, Betty and Ben moved to Mangum, Okla., where they owned and published the Mangum Star until moving to Norman in 1973. They raised their family in Mangum, were active volunteers in the community, enjoyed many wonderful friendships and especially appreciated the unique beauty and recreational opportunities of Quartz Mountain State Park. Bettye was thrilled that she water-skied at Quartz Mountain on her 50th birthday! She was so inspired by that accomplishment that she climbed mountains in Colorado and Big Sur, CA with her children and grandchildren when she was over 70.
Her marriage to Ben brought her an additional joy in the relationship with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Francis and Gloria Langdon and their family. She always viewed them as a "gift" in her life, much like the wonderful addition of Maxwell McCurdy when he joined the family as the husband of her sister, Rosamond.
While living in Norman, Bettye wrote a recipe column for the Norman Transcript which included unique stories about the person sharing the recipe. She developed a decorating business which utilized her creative abilities but it was her love of politics that was her passion. She and Ben were both active in the Democratic Party of Cleveland County. She tirelessly campaigned for candidates with whom she shared beliefs. Her requirement for support included a desire to help those in need or who could not help themselves. There was a time when she "crossed over" to support Henry Bellmon, and her respect for him never diminished!
Upon moving to Shawnee in 1995, Betty and Ben immediately volunteered to deliver "Meals on Wheels". They often laughed that they delivered meals to many folks who were younger than they were!
Bettye felt that we should be actively involved in life! In her own life she demonstrated a love of reading and desire for knowledge, an intense curiosity about things as well as people, an enjoyment of physical activity and a commitment to caring about and helping those in need. She believed that it is important to be involved in activities of our community and family and that our lives are enriched by having a dog to love! Some of her favorite stories were about the beloved family Airedale, Prince.
Bettye is survived by her son, Benj Langdon and his wife Rebecca of Big Sur, CA and her daughter Nance and her husband Jeff Diamond of Shawnee. Also surviving are grandchildren, Laura and her husband Doug Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., Jeffrey and his wife Carol Diamond of Shawnee, Jay Diamond of Dallas, Texas, and Koe and Dylan Langdon of Big Sur, Calif.; great-grandchildren include, Elise, Lily and Luke Nagel of San Rafael, Calif., and Jack and Elise Diamond of Shawnee. Fortunately for them, she passed along a spirit of adventure that has served her children well and will, no doubt, influence the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Memorial gifts may be made to Heartland Hospice of Shawnee (3700 N. Kickapoo, Ste. 104, Shawnee, OK 74804) or to The Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice (OCCJ), an organization that represents her belief that all people should be treated with dignity and respect (100 West Fifth Street, LL 1030, Tulsa, OK 74103).
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, at 10 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee.
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