Dewey County Obituary
Shirley Cemetery

© Shaw-Redinger Funeral Home
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

BETTY MAY SHUREY CLEM

January 01, 1922 - October 26, 2017

Betty May (Shurey) Clem was born January 1, 1922 in Kidmore End, Hartley District, Oxford England to Fred and Annie May (Annettes) Shurey. She was the second of three children for Fred and Annie. Betty went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 26, 2017 at the age of 95.

Betty attended Redbourne and Harpenden schools in Reading, completing her education in 1938 at the age of 16. Her favorite subjects were English and History. She especially enjoyed performing in the school plays. She oftentimes entertained her family by still being able to recite some of her lines from the plays.

Upon her graduation from school, she worked in retail sales until the beginning of World War II. At that time she started work in the aviation industry where she replaced the electronic components on combat aircraft.

In 1942, Betty met the love of her life. Lee Clem was stationed at Bassingbourne Air Base where he served in the 8th Air Force, 91st Heavy Bomb Group. His best friend was supposed to have a date with Betty. When he decided not to go on the date, Lee went in his place. The rest is history. Lee and Betty were married on June 24, 1944 in Royston, England. Lee was discharged from the military in September 1945. Betty joined him in the United States a year later.

Three children were born to this union: Carol Annette (died at birth), Dixie Lee and Betsy May. Shortly after the birth of her second child, Betty became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States on April 20, 1950. She was very proud of this accomplishment and probably knew more about American History than most people who were born and raised here since she studied for many days and nights in order to pass the test on her first attempt.

It was a big adjustment for Betty to move from outside of London to Leedey, Oklahoma. However, over the years she got used to farm life and even learned to drive a pickup load of wheat to the elevator. Tractor driving was another skill she attained.

Her hobbies included flower gardening, doing embroidery work, knitting and reading. Her beautiful handwork received blue ribbons at the county fair. She attributed her ability to do perfect handwork to the training provided by her Aunt Ivy.

Betty was very involved in her community. She served on the Western Plains Library Board, was instrumental in the establishment of the Leedey Senior Citizen, and worked closely with United Methodist Women. She was most proud of her work with the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development Program. She served many years as a 4-H volunteer and chauffeured numerous young people all over western Oklahoma. She was named Roger Mills County 4-H Volunteer of the Year. She resigned from being a 4-H club leader at the age of 84.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Annie Shurey; her husband, Lee Lorn Clem; her infant daughter, Carol Annette Clem; her grandson, Adam Wade Ferrell; her sister, Dorothy Joan Patricia (Shurey) Capps; her brother, Peter James Shurey and her nephew, Mike Capps.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters Betsy (Clem) James and Dixie (Clem) Ferrell along with her husband Eldon Ferrell of Leedey, Oklahoma. Betty’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Shannon Ferrell, his wife Cara and son Shawn of Mulhall, Oklahoma; Nathan Ferrell, his wife Heather and son Ellis of Midland, Texas; Annie (James) Chaddick, her husband Chris and son Carter of Anna, Texas; LeeAnn (James) Wright, her husband Dalton and sons Roper, Grady and Kashion of Chelsea, Oklahoma. She has nieces, nephews and many friends who also miss her.

Memorials may be made to the Leedey Ambulance or the Leedey First United Methodist Church in care of Shaw Funeral Home (P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859).

Graveside Service
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
10:00 AM
Shirley Cemetery
Leedey, OK 73654

Memorial Service
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
11:00 AM

Leedey, OK 73654