Betty Carole Wooldridge Johnston
In Memory Of Betty Carole Wooldridge Johnston
Betty was born on January 12, 1940, to Clyde and Imogene (Clark) Wooldridge. She has 2 brothers Carl Dean Wooldridge, who is 5 years older, and Clyde Gene Wooldridge, who is 5 years younger.
Betty passed away Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the Beare Manor Nursing Home, Hartshorne, Oklahoma.
Betty attended school at Wilburton, graduating in 1957. She was a majorette in the high school band, played basketball and worked during her teenage years.
While attending Eastern Oklahoma College she met William (Bill) Johnston from Missouri. Bill sold a pint of blood to buy a train ticket to return to Wilburton to marry Betty. They were married on June 10th, 1961, her parents anniversary. Bill worked several jobs before starting his career in the oilfield. They had 3 children; Cindi, DeJa and William R. (Bobb), Jr.
After Bobb started to school Betty returned to college. She became an educator, teaching in Elk City, Mustang and Wilburton. Betty continued her own schooling, earning a Bachelor’s Degree and 2 Master’s Degrees.
Betty was always active in her church as well as civic groups. She was a life-long member of Calvary Baptist Church where she played the keyboard. She was a board member of CASA, a Twentieth Century Club member, and a member of “Sister Circle and the Brethren Dulcimer Club”.
Betty loved to learn new things. Once she mastered a talent she would start learning another one. Throughout her adulthood she learned to play piano, banjo, violin, and dulcimer. She learned to paint, do ceramics, quilt, scrape book, embroidery and sew. Betty sewed clothes from an early age making dresses during high school and even making clothes for her children. She even sewed for others from time to time.
Betty coached basketball and sponsored cheerleading over the years.
Her grandchildren meant everything to her. She loved having family around, she even helped raise some of the grandchildren. So when the great-grandchildren came along she couldn’t have been prouder.
Betty suffered greatly upon losing her dad, a grandson and mom. But especially after caring for Bill during his last 8 years and losing him at Christmas time, then losing her daughter Cindi last year. Betty’s load was heavy.
Betty is survived by:
Daughter and Son-In-Law: DeJa & Wayne Vogt.
Son: William Robert Bobb Johnston, Jr.
Brothers and Sisters-In-Law: Carl Dean & Martha Wooldridge and Clyde Gene & Faye Wooldridge.
Brother-In-Law and Sister-In-Law: Tom and Sandy Johnston.
Sisters-In-Law and Brothers-In-Law: Trix & John Bobbitt and Janet & Tom Corr.
She is also survived by grandchildren, Robbie Anderson, Josh & Natia Anderson, Jennifer & Adam Montana, Jessica & Jesse Flores, Jack Helt, Jamie Helt, Bonnie & Patrick McKinney and Dakotah and Leo Garcia and 21 Great Grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her dad, Clyde Wooldridge; grandson, Jack (J.J.) Hinds; mother, Imogene Wooldridge; husband, Bill and daughter, Cindi Johnston Cox.
Service at Calvary Baptist Church, Wilburton, Oklahoma, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 with Rev. Willard Francis & Richard Bowden Officiating. Interment to follow at the Wilburton Masonic Cemetery, Wilburton, Oklahoma.
Pallbearers: Robbie Anderson, Josh Anderson, Jack Helt, Adam Montana, Scot Francis, Greg Wilson.
SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF WALDROP FUNERAL HOME, WILBURTON, OKLAHOMA.