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October 20, 1923 - February 10, 2018
Graveside services for Betty Jean Thomas Wedel, 94, of Fairview, will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the Fairview Cemetery in Fairview, Oklahoma. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.
Viewing with the family present will be Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and daily from 9-5 at Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.
On October 20, 1923, Betty Jean Lawson became the firstborn child of James Hobert Lawson and Winnie Pearl Garrett Lawson, of Luther, Oklahoma. Soon, Betty Jean had sisters and brothers to adore and she loved Vieva Jo, Hobert Jr., Lenora, and Jerry so much! Their beloved Mama taught them to love Jesus, books, and sunsets. During the Depression, their Daddy would tackle any job he could get to take care of his family.
When Betty Jean was 17, she accepted a date with a handsome young charmer named Elzy Thomas. Sometime during the evening, Elzy cleverly turned a corner sharply, causing Betty to slide over against him. He put his arm around her and said, "I was going to kiss you, but I believe I'll wait until some of that lipstick wears off!" It only took two weeks for them to fall in love and decide they wanted to spend their lives together. Elzy and Betty were married in Las Vegas in 1941, and she became Betty Thomas.
She was a military wife and then a preacher’s wife while she and Elzy raised two beautiful children, Wathena and Stephen Thomas. They lived in Germany, Japan, the Philippines, and all over the U.S. throughout their marriage. Betty was a talented artist and writer, an oft published poet, and a voracious reader. She was gifted wonderfully from birth, but only recognized and applied those talents during her later years in life.
Imagine what we would have missed if she hadn't taken that painting course that winter she and Elzy spent in South Texas! She specialized in acrylic art and evidence of a prolific talent hang on the walls of family member's homes. Her poetic talents throughout the state of Oklahoma won her several awards and prizes over the years. Her art and poetry are visual legacies for all of us who have been privileged to receive a painting and copies of her poems.
Elzy passed away in 1991 and this was a very difficult period for Betty. In time, a friend, Mervin Wedel, began to bring joy back into her life. They married in 1993, and she became Betty Wedel. Mervin and Betty enjoyed visiting family and taking trips together. Mervin became a beloved member of the family, and the two of them lived happily until Mervin passed away in 2004.
Because of declining health, Betty eventually moved to the Fairview Fellowship Home where she lived the rest of her days and grew to love her caretakers there. And in turn, her bright smile and cheerful attitude had a positive impact on the staff.
Betty had an overriding quality about her. She never complained about any place she lived or visited. She always made each place sound as if it were the best place on earth. There aren't many who share that quality of seeing the beauty in everything like she did. She even made that old red clay and purple rocked hill of a farm in Luther, Oklahoma, where she and her siblings grew up sound like a dream place. What an imagination she possessed even then. Perhaps she developed that imagination to obscure hard times she experienced as a child growing up during the Great Depression in Oklahoma. Whatever it was, she thrived, above all else, and conquered the world in which she lived!
Survivors include: one son, Stephen Elzy Thomas and wife, Mira of Oak Harbor, Washington, one daughter, Wathena and husband Dr. John Harris of Fairview, two brothers; James Hobert Lawson Jr. and Gerald Lawson, two sisters; Vieva Jo Deal and Lenora Grace Woods, seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and nine great- great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and both her husbands, Elzy and Mervin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview City Library with the funeral home acting as custodian of the funds.
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