Betty Bingamon Ely Parham was born August 14, 1928 in Pemeta, Oklahoma, to Wayne and Edith Bingamon. She passed to her heavenly home on November 2, 2023 at the age of 95 years. Betty was a long-time Ada resident.
She attended schools in Drumright, Fittstown (McLish) and Ada, graduating from Ada High School at the age of 16. Her senior year she attended half-days and worked thirty-three hours a week at Woolworth’s.
In 1945, at age seventeen, Betty attended East Central State College for two semesters, and then in the fall of 1946 took a job in the credit department of Montgomery Ward department store. In December of that year, she married Richard Dock Ely who also worked at Montgomery Ward, and, because the store had a policy that spouses could not work together, Betty went to work for Louis M. Long Loans, where she worked for over thirty years.
Betty and Richard bought Retail Merchants from Mr. Long in 1956. It has remained a family business for sixty-seven years.
Their fist son, Richard Wayne, was born on June 2, 1953, and their second son, Stephen Wyatt, followed on September 24th of the next year.
While raising two sons, working full time and pursuing her two college degrees at East Central she still managed to serve as PTA President for Washington Elementary while starting the first elementary school cafeteria program in the city.
She was a rock for her two sons when her husband Richard died in a car accident in 1971, taking over sole ownership of the business while also keeping her job at the loan company. She worked hard, putting both boys through college. Betty looked to God for the strength to do this.
Betty was a philanthropist, making regular contributions to East Central University, Valley View Regional Hospital, United Way, the Boy Scouts and many other charities. Her kindness and generosity extended to family and friends. A wonderful hostess, her holiday gatherings with twenty-five to thirty people created fond memories for all who attended.
She was the first woman in the day-time Kiwanis Club, sat on the Board of Directors for a time, and received the Kiwanis Community Service Award.
She was instrumental in starting the Ada recycling program, serving on its Board, as well as serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board. As Chairman of the Beautification Committee, she had trees planted in many of the downtown parking lots.
Betty was president of seven different organizations over the years, including the Associated Credit Bureaus of Oklahoma, the Ada chapter of the American Association of University Women, the McLish Alumni Association, and the Ada Toastmasters.
An active member of the Business and Professional Women’s organization, she was BPW’s Employer of the Year and Woman of the Year, and worked with young people as part of the Future Business Leaders of America program.
In 1991 she married Bill Parham (a widower). She lovingly cared for her parents “MeMe” and “Pops” until their passing in their 90’s and later for Bill until his passing in 2007.
Betty was a member of First Assembly of God Church for over fifty years, teaching the adult Sunday school class, and after marrying Bill, was a member of First United Methodist Church for thirty years.
Betty was an avid traveler having visited most of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and about 30 countries. She provided many wonderful trips for her family members, and started the tradition of taking each of her grandchildren on a trip when they reached ten years old.
She was a successful business woman for over seventy years, but her proudest title was that of “Nana”. As her family grew, so did the love in her heart, welcoming each new family member with open arms and a smile, leaving all of them with her legacy of a life well-lived.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands and two great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her brother, Earl Bingamon of Ada, son Richard and wife Carolyn of Lewisville, Texas, son Steve and wife Kaye of Ada, step-sons Tom Parham and Fred Parham of Vacaville, California, and step-son Jim Parham and wife Linda of Perry Oklahoma. She is survived by six grandchildren and their spouses, ten great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and their spouses, seven step-great-grandchildren, and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation with family and friends will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday, November 10th at Criswell Funeral Home of Ada. The Service will be 1:00 pm Saturday, Nov 11th at First United Methodist Church, Ada, Oklahoma with Reverend Brian Matthews and Reverend Roberto Escamilla officiating. Grave side services will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery of Ada. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.
Criswell Funeral Home
