Betty Lorene (Slape) Richard, 82, of Panama died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Panama.
She was born in Morris on May 22, 1930, to John Roy and Ursula (Hill) Slape. She was a member of Solid Rock Pentecostal Church of God, where she and her husband, the Rev. Glen Richard, retired as pastors in 2002. She was also church secretary for many years, taught Sunday School, played the piano and sang in church. In her teenage years she sang in a quartet with her sister at church events throughout Oklahoma and Arizona. She loved the Lord with all her heart. Even in her last days she was a light and a witness for her Lord Jesus. Her home is known as a house of peace. She was also retired from the Panama School System where she worked for 20 years and retired as the cafeteria manager.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband and a sister, Luveda Stills.
Betty is survived by two sons, Terry and Kathy Richard of Nubbin Ridge and Kenneth and Donna Richard of Shady Point; two daughters, Glenda and Terry Newton of Poteau and Anita and Leon Potts of Shady Point; a sister and brother-in-law, Wilma and Bob Sampson of Pottsboro, Texas; a sister-in-law, Shirley Southerland of Kingston; 14 grandchildren, Joe Grayson, Grant Grayson, Amie and Daryl Wilson, Tiffany and Josh Jorgensen, T.J. Richard, Kenny Joe and Annie Richard, Krystal and Cory Lynch, Jessica and Jammy Jack, Tim and Lindsay Painter, Ronnie and Mandi Painter, Johnny and Sarah Painter, Daniel Newton, Mandy Newton and Britney and Jason Timms; 21 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other family, friends and loved ones.
Pallbearers will be Chaz Billingsley, the Rev. Curtis Hope, Stephen Beasley, Anthony Jiminez, David Carson and the Rev. John Meshaya.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Solid Rock Pentecostal Church of God, Panama, with the Rev. Tim Painter and Bishop Clyde Hess of Oklahoma PCG officiating. Burial will be in Shady Point Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Grace Manor Funeral Home of Poteau.
You may leave an online greeting to the family at www.gracemanorfh.com.
