Betty June (Diffendaffer) Elston

Published courtesy of the Cordell Beacon

Thursday, August 19, 2004

© Cordell Beacon

Betty June Diffendaffer was born December 10, 1927, 1 mile east and 1-1/2 miles north of Rocky, Oklahoma to Carnot and Lela Mae (Cunningham) Diffendaffer.

Betty attended school at Custer City during the first and second grade. The third grade she attended at Mt. Zion near Rocky and also later at Retrop. On the first day of school at Retrop she met Arvella Taylor and would remain good friends until Betty's death. They shared cards, phone calls and visits. Arvella came to see Betty after she became ill and that visit was a treasured memory she wouldn't forget and mentioned this visit many times during her illness.

She attended school until the eighth grade and then stayed home to care for her Invalid mother. Betty was not a woman with idle hands. She learned to cook and clean and care for others at an early age.

Betty and her brother Fred were very close. They walked to school together. They lived close to their friends Doris and Rose Holman and was always walking back and forth to visit.

She told of fond memories she had of visiting with her relatives. She had a special place in her heart for her cousins Eva, Neva, Dearl, Joy, Ralph, Johnny and Elmyrta.

Betty was baptized into the "Church of the First Born" near Rocky on July 22, 1940 at the age of 12. Her family didn't have much in the way of worldly possessions but always made up for it with love. She had many small trinkets given to her by her father, mother, brother and many friends and at any time could tell you the story behind each one. She had a special relationship with her 3 younger sisters Norma, Evelyn and Vera and was never short of recalling a story about each one.

On January 1, 1947 Betty married Clifford Elston. To this union were born 3 children, Jackie Lindell, Dickie LaWayne and Teresa Lou. After the death of her father Carnot in 1953 Betty's mother Lela lived with her and Clifford for a long time and later with Fred, Evelyn and Vera for two weeks at a time until her death in 1957.

Betty devoted her life to her husband and the raising of their children. She was very good to visit the sick and to offer food or help or both. There was much happiness but more trials and heartaches awaited her in life.

One of the saddest times in the life of this 40 year old mother came on April 30, 1968 when word was received that Jackie had been killed in action in Vietnam. Two Army officers came to Cannon's Auto Supply where Clifford worked and when they walked in the door he just went and sat down because he knew what had happened. The next 12 days were very bad and she would not believe he had been killed until she saw him in the casket. He was burried on Sunday, May 12th which was "Mother's Day".

Dickie married Dwan Holman in 1972 and they had 3 daughters Jackie Ellen, Jessie and Casey.

Teresa married Dean Humphrey in 1976 and they had a daughter Farrah and a son Zachery.

Betty found another role in life that she was very good at, "GRANDMA". She loved each one and displayed their photos everywhere.

After Dickie and Teresa moved out Betty and Clifford started vacationing by bus tours and loved each one. One of their favorite trips was to Hawaii with Charles & Idell, and Eva and Neva. It took 4 photograph albums for the pictures and the rest of her life to relate the story to others.

On their last trip they went to Washington D.C. to see the Vietnam Memorial and Jackie's name. One month after they returned home Clifford became ill and passed away. This time she lost the love of her life but by the grace of God she was able to carry on for 17-1/2 more years.

A few years later the grandkids grew up and gave her another role in life that she loved very much, "GREAT GRANDMA". Several more treasurers were added to the collection of photos.

She lived a long and very good life until she passed away on Monday, July 26.

She was preceded in death by her parents Carnot and Lela, her husband Clifford, son - Jackie, three brothers Fred, Ernest and Baby, and two sisters Lillian and Norma Jean.

Betty is survived by one son Dickie and wife Dwan of Rocky and one daughter Teresa and husband Dean of Yukon. Five Grandchildren: Jackie Ellen Dobbs and husband Noal, Jessie Norris and husband Paul, Casey Gray and husband Ivan, Farrah Christian and husband Barry and Zachery Humphrey. Twelve Great Grandchildren: Faith, Charli and Tristen Dobbs; Laramie, Landry and Laeklin Norris; Adrian, Alanna, Addie and Alijah Gray; Neleh June and Brooklyn Christian two sisters: Evelyn Giblet of Cordell and Vera Byrd of Rocky; and one sister-in-law Nora Humphrey of Rocky.

She will be missed very much by all.