Betty Jo (Boone) Brashears departed this life on Tuesday, October 26, at Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of 87. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs. To honor Betty's wishes, no services are planned.

The daughter of Sam Boone and Mary Olive (Hill) Boone was born December 19, 1933, in Seiling, OK. At the age of 6, the family moved to Mannford. As a member of the Mannford High School graduating class of 1952, Betty was active in sports and school plays. She excelled in basketball and softball, and was the lead role, Sal, in the senior play, "Our Gal, Sal". She was the class Salutatorian and received the Outstanding Girl Athlete Award. From the age of 15 until she graduated high school, Betty worked at Hendrick Drug Store in Old Mannford.

Betty met the love of her life, Kenneth Lee Brashears, when they were in grade school. As Betty tells it, they dated once when she was a sophomore, but after a long break, didn't officially date again until the night of her senior play. She never dated anyone else, but Ken, after that. They were engaged after only dating about two or three months. They decided to get married in Arkansas so they didn't have to wait on the blood test that Oklahoma required. Back then, women had to be 18 and men had to be 21. Ken didn't consider this, he was only 20, so when they got to Ft. Smith, they had to have his mom send a telegram giving permission for him to get married. By the time the telegram arrived, the courthouse was closing so they hurried back over there. The court almost didn't accept the telegram, but his mom had called them from her bank with her banker as a witness. The court agreed to accept it, but by this time the chapel had closed so the judge agreed to let them come to his house later in the day to get married.   In the end everything worked out, and they were married at the judge's house in Ft. Smith, AR on January 21, 1953.

When Ken was drafted into the Army in 1953, Betty decided to go to work. She first worked at Kresses, a five and dime store, in Tulsa for a couple of months. She then went to work for Atlas Life Insurance Company in Tulsa. She started working there in 1953 and retired in 1991. Over that span of time, she took four breaks to have children and to go race horses with Ken. When she retired, she had a total of 26 years of service with Atlas.

Betty dearly loved her husband and family. No one ever left her without a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She was sweet, funny, sensitive, and embodied all the wonderful qualities a person could possibly have. When her grandchildren were young, she spent time with them making memories of sewing together and slumber parties complete with blanket forts, board games, dress up, and snacks. She enjoyed working with her hands, especially sewing and crocheting. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Some years ago, Betty wrote a book about her life and Ken's life together. She gave copies to her children and grandchildren for Christmas that year.  In the book, she summed up her life with these words: "I really didn't realize what an interesting and happy life we have had until I started writing this. I don't mean everything was always excellent. There were good times and bad times, but all in all we have had a very good life."

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: R.L. and Jerry Boone; and sister, Jenett Ross.

She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Kenneth; her sons: Steve Brashears (Brenda) of Florida, and Mark Brashears of Mannford; brother, Jack Boone (Marigel) of West Tulsa; sister, Yvonne Anderson (Gordon) of Arkansas; sister-in-law, Donna Boone of Mannford; grandchildren: Rachel Rivers (Tharon) of Broken Arrow, Renee Patrick of Broken Arrow, Deitrik Brashears of Florida, Christy Stephens (Ed) of Florida, and Richard Matthews (Grace) of Florida; and great-grandchildren: Kristen Reese (Hunter) of Texas, Joseph Rivers of Broken Arrow, Bryce Patrick of Broken Arrow, Ethan Patrick of Broken Arrow, Mayah Brashears of Florida, Lauren LaCasse of South Carolina, Kaitlin Shields of Florida, and Colton Stephens of Florida.

Leave your memories of Betty and view her tribute online at www.mogro.co .