Betty Joyce (Donica) Howard, 91, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away at the home of her son Robert "Bob" and daughter-in-law Carol on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Service arrangements are in the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service.

Betty was born on October 30, 1931 in Nashoba, Oklahoma, to William Fremont and Nova Gladys (Foster) Donica. She graduated from Clayton High School and then attended Eastern Oklahoma Junior College and Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) before receiving her Bachelor of Education from The University of Tulsa. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from Central State University (now UCO).  She married John Robert Howard on April 25, 1952 in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Betty taught English at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa and at College High School in Bartlesville.  She edited a Christian anthology called "The World Within and the World Without," and authored a missionary biography called "Why This Road? The Carolyn Myatt Story." Betty was editor of the Oral Roberts Daily Blessings devotional series. She and her husband John were formerly members of the South Tulsa Baptist Church, and in later years attended George Stovall's Sunday school class and Chaplain Merle Newton's services when they lived at University Village.

Betty's favorite activity was spending time with her family. She loved the family tradition of eating lunch together on Sundays. She also loved sewing, reading, writing, cooking, and doing anything she could to help anyone in need.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John; her three brothers Joe, Carl and Bill; and her two sisters Lenora Gardner and Bonnie Faulkner.

She is survived by her son, Robert "Bob" and his wife, Carol; granddaughter, Hannah Howard and her husband, Will Holland; grandson, Samuel Howard and his wife, Marie Mauhar; sister and brother-in-law, Ava Lavon and Carl Church; brother, Wayne Donica; sisters-in-law, Wanda Donica and Beth Phillips; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  Betty is remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher of many students over the years.

Visitation will be held at Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service on Friday, April 14 ^th from 12 noon to 8 pm, with the family receiving friends between 6 pm and 8 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the University Village on Saturday, April 15 ^th at 10:30 am with Ron Berk officiating and music by Reverend Steve Davis and David Moon.

Donations to the Salvation Army or John 3:16 Mission in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.