WILSON-LITTLE FUNERAL HOME

PURCELL-NEWCASTLE, MCCLAIN CO, OK

(permission granted)

Betty Johnson age 87, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Purcell.

She was the sixth child born to Charles Ralph Whitney and Doris (Rife) Whitney, born on November 15, 1930 in Anthony, Kansas. Betty attended Anthony Schools, graduating in 1949. She was working as a secretary at a car dealership in Anthony when a young man named Ed Johnson came to town working for General Telephone. He soon left town and was drafted into the U.S. Army. Betty wrote to him every day while he was away and after his honorable discharge in 1952, he borrowed his sister’s car, drove from Purcell to Anthony and picked up his bride. On the trip back to Purcell they stopped in Medford, OK and married on December 18, 1952. They ran a Phillips 66 gas station at the corner of Washington St. and Canadian and made their home in an apartment across the street. Twelve months later a son, Gary was born. Eighteen months later, the family welcomed daughter Debbie, then Nineteen months following that they welcomed daughter Teresa, now their family was complete. Betty worked alongside Ed, keeping books and whatever was needed at the store. Later they owned and operated J & K Auto Parts until their retirement. Betty enjoyed staying at home after that. She loved family outings at their place at Lake Texoma. She was a wonderful cook and kept an immaculate house. She was a fantastic mother and grandmother and vary rarely missed a game or event. But most of all, Betty was Ed’s loving wife and companion. After his death, she found life without him very difficult. She was a woman of strong faith and a member of the Union Hill Baptist Church in Purcell. She will be dearly missed!

She was preceded in death by: Her husband of 54 years, Esdel L. Johnson on February 5, 2007; Parents, Ralph Whitney and Doris Whitney; Brothers, Roger Whitney and Wayne Whitney; Sisters, Charlotte Whitney, Helen Hager and Gladys Long and Son-in-law, Terry Smith.

Betty is survived by: Her sister, Phyllis Stobaugh of LaGrange, TX, Her children, Gary Johnson and wife Melinda of Purcell, Debbie Smith of Purcell and Teresa Bacon and husband Brent of Purcell; Grandchildren, Juleigh Wright, Jennifer Gummerson, Joseph Johnson, Michael Smith, Greg Smith, Chris Smith, Brian Bacon, Tommy Bacon and Whitney McConathy; 14 great grandchildren, Nicholas, Carson, Logan, Isabella, Haileigh, Hunter, Maebry, Graydon, Brendan, Landry, Henry, Walter, Mollie and Reed; several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services will be 1:30PM Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018 at Union Hill Baptist Church in Purcell Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.

Memorials may be made to the Union Hill Baptist Church.