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Betty Lou Westfahl Goforth was born on January 26, 1927 to Louis and Callie Lee Thurman Westfahl on the family farm east of Hitchcock. She was the ninth of sixteen children. Betty passed away December 22, 2017 at the Okeene Municipal Hospital.
When Betty was two years old, her parents purchased and moved to a farm six miles west and two miles south of Okeene, where she grew up. She attended Liberty School through the eighth grade, and then transferred to Homestead High School. Betty was active in 4-H, winning many ribbons at local and county shows. She played basketball and performed in many school plays. She graduated from Homestead High School in May 1945.
After high school, Betty wanted to enroll in Moore Beauty College in Enid. Before she could go to the college, her father needed her to do chores and help with the cows so he could get one more crop planted. Betty's father made arrangements with the college for her to start at mid-term. She made up the missed classes and graduated with her class as planned in April 1946. Betty made the only perfect score on the State Board Exam that year.
Betty first worked for a couple of beauty shops in Okeene. Then her brother James encouraged her to open her own business, Betty's Beauty Shop, on Main Street. Betty was a licensed beautician for over 50 years.
On October 10, 1948 Betty was married to Durwood Goforth in Alfalfa, Oklahoma by Rev. Heusel, a former Homestead minister. In September 1951 they purchased their home on Main Street and moved her beauty shop to the house, where they raised three children, Ronald Dean, Donald Gene, and Sandra Lou. Betty was very active in her children's lives. She was a den mother for cub scouts, chaperone for many band trips and a Girl Scout leader.
In 1978 Betty took the civil service exam and began her second career as a postal clerk working in post offices in Watonga, Canton, Longdale, Isabella, Fairview and Okeene. She retired from the United States Postal Service in 1989.
Betty was a member of the First Baptist Church in Okeene and the Okeene V.F.W. Women's Auxiliary. She was a two-time Whea-Esta Bread Champion and is known by her family for her cherry pies and homemade chicken and noodles! She enjoyed reading mysteries, sewing, embroidering, and cooking. She loved working in her yard, growing beautiful flowers and admiring the beauty of nature while sitting in her swing.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Charles and Callie Lee Westfahl; husband, Durwood; one son, Donald; four brothers, James, Raymond, Roger, and Lester; five sisters, Erma, Jane Ann, Dessa Mae, Alice Ruth and Evelyn.
She is survived by one son, Ronald Goforth and wife, Kay of Houston, Texas; one daughter, Sandra Roever and husband, Joe of Okeene; five sisters, Mildred Outhier of Homestead, Helen Westfahl of Del City, Marjorie Winter of Enid, Thelma McKinnis of McHenry, Maryland and Barbara Brownsworth of Clifton, Texas; one brother, Harold Westfahl of Arcadia; one brother-in-law, Gayle Goforth; five grandchildren, Brandi Garrison of Duncan, Stephanie Caldwell of Delaware, Ohio, Daniel Goforth of Saint Clairsville, Ohio, Daniel Roever of Norfolk, Virginia and Ashley Roever of Weatherford; five great-grandchildren, Caleb Garrison, Kathryn Garrison, Reagan Caldwell, William Caldwell and Blayne Goforth and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service for Betty will be December 29, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Homestead Bible Church. Interment will follow at the Homestead Cemetery. Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday morning.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Circle of Love or the Homestead Cemetery Association through Lanman Funeral Home.
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