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Betty Jones, 70 year old Woodward resident, died Monday, January 22, 2018 in Woodward. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, Lincoln Campus with Reverend Gary Williams officiating. Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.
Betty Marie (Bence) Jones was born June 24, 1947 in Perryton, Texas to Hazel Lou Hobson and Robert “Homer” Bence. Betty grew up in a family with no mention of God or Jesus. They were proud to know a good number of dirty jokes and cussing was second nature. Betty’s mom moved the family from Liberal, Kansas to Guymon to be near family. Betty attended school in Guymon in the first grade. As summer was ending Betty’s mother was married and the family moved to Goodwell. They lived on a farm outside of town and Betty started second grade at Goodwell and attended school until 1963. A couple of young friends invited all of the kids to go to church. This was the first time Betty felt she was with Jesus. She remembers totally believing the words to “Jesus Loves Me”. She always knew in her heart that she belonged to Jesus and she never forgot it. Growing up there, the family didn’t go to church.
The family were poor dirt farmers and they supplemented their income by holding dances in the quonset hut.
Betty was baptized but there was no one to disciple her and she returned to her sinful ways. She was blessed with a daughter Honey in 1964 and she left home to move to Elkhart, Kansas where Honey’s father lived. They lived with Honey’s dad and family for a period of time. Betty moved to town and later moved to Lawton and that is where Betty learned to play the guitar and sing. She played and sang in a band and they traveled all over Oklahoma and Colorado playing in dance halls and bars. Betty moved to Woodward in 1981, after living in Seiling a couple of years. Betty went to work for a dentist in Woodward for short period before going to work at the Woodward Hospital as a Phlebotomist. She loved it and continued working there for 26 years.
In 2007, Betty renewed her faith in Jesus Christ as her lord and Savior. She always said it was the best time of her life. Betty always felt she knew Jesus and she already belonged to him and all she needed was a church and someone to teach her. Her sister Peggy invited her to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church and it is there she heard Pastor Jason Dirks preach. She felt he taught God’s word in such a way she could truly understand. Over the next three years she read the Bible cover to cover numerous times. Her life became involved in the church and she taught Sunday School, sang specials, and wrote songs.
Betty loved hunting and fishing, photography, collecting rocks, knitting and crocheting. She also loved singing, playing the guitar and reading the Bible. Her precious pets, Jack, Taco and Elmo were her pride and joy. Betty was always willing to help anyone and always found the good in everyone she met. She loved helping others and she was always the “Peacemaker”.
She is survived by her daughter Honey Hickman and husband Rex of Woodward; five grandchildren: Candie Wheeler, Charlie, Cayla Allen and Ed, Carrie Flewelling and Casey, Neva McCormick and Dustin, Chantelle Hickman- Ladd and Chase; 11 great-grandchildren, Quinton Johnson, Chevelle Allen, Miriam Allen, William Allen, Ryan Wheeler, Patrick Wheeler, Jamie Wheeler, Coby Flewelling, Riley Flewelling, Maisyn McCormick, Adian McCormick; one brother, John Noble and wife Retha of Freedom; three sisters: Peggy Van Dorn and husband Dwight of Woodward, Nancy Johnson of Guymon, Kelly Sansom and husband Mark of Norman; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Robert “Robby” Bence.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Gifts of Love at the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church with the funeral home accepting the contributions.
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