A graveside service honoring the life of Betty Lou Graham, age 88 years, of Enid, will be 1:30 pm, Saturday, August 15, 2020 in the Mausoleum of Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid, Ok, with Reverend Gary Lillie officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Betty passed away peacefully on August 7, 2020 following a lengthy illness. She was born August 18, 1931 in Enid, Oklahoma, the oldest child of Clarence and Bertha Kelley. She was a life-long resident of Enid and a graduate of the Enid High School Class of 1949.
Betty married her high school sweetheart, Nolan Graham on January 18, 1950 and was married just short of 70 years upon Nolan’s passing in November 2019. Together they raised two sons, Dickie and Tommy.
Betty was a dedicated wife, loving mother and proud grandmother. She loved her home and neighbors. She took great pride in being an outstanding homemaker and an excellent cook and seamstress.
Betty had a full career as the Superintendent’s secretary at Autry Technical Center. Betty was one of the original staff at Autry in the 1960’s. The school, faculty and students were the love of her work life. After her retirement from Autry, she coordinated the monthly Autry Retiree Club meetings.
Betty knew no strangers throughout her life and made many friends. She helped with organizing the EHS Class of 1949 reunions. She was a member of Zeta Rho Sorority where she established lifelong friendships with other mothers and their families. All her friends were special to her and she greatly missed them as they passed in life.
Like Nolan, Betty enjoyed cars and attended many car related events. She loved going to Branson with Nolan for the past five decades. They both took great pride in having annual season passes to Silver Dollar City; The Presley’s and The Baldknobber’s Country Music Shows.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Nolan Graham; her father, Clarence Kelley and mother Bertha Kelley. Betty is survived by her son, Dickie Graham and his wife Janice, of Ft. Worth, TX; grandson Darrell and his wife Anne, of Ft. Worth, TX; and great-grandchild, Madison (7). Granddaughter, Melisa Kurtz and her husband Brian, of Southlake, TX; and three great-grandchildren, Asher (4), Aubree (2) and Austin (1). Son, Tommy Graham and wife Rhonda, of Tulsa, Ok; granddaughter, Emily Myers and husband Josh, of Moore, OK, and two great-grandchildren, Marshall (7) and Linlee (5); and grandson, Eric Graham, of Grimes, IA. She is survived by two sisters, Vera Nordman of St. Louis, MO., and Linda Kelley of New Orleans, LA.
The Graham family would like to thank all the Golden Oaks staff who cared for Betty and supported Nolan during her stay at Golden Oaks.
Memorial contributions in Betty’s name may be made to Relay for Life of Garfield County with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.