Obituary for Betty Jean Wells
Betty Jean Wells, of Caddo, Oklahoma went to heaven Monday, February 6, 2023 at the age of 88. She was born on Friday, April 13, 1934 in Caddo, Oklahoma to Frank and Ava (Mahana) Armstrong.
She was a longtime resident of Caddo, Oklahoma. She graduated from Caddo High School in 1952 and married her high school sweetheart, Jack Raymond Wells, Sr., on June 30, 1952 in Sherman, Texas.
Over the years, Betty held many roles. Her first job was as a telephone operator in Caddo, delivered the Durant Daily Democrat newspaper, worked as a lunchroom manager for Caddo High School for many years and was a Women’s Auxiliary Pink Lady at Alliance Hospital. She was also a very active member of the Robinson Baptist Church, which she loved very much.
Betty always said her family lived the book “The Grapes of Wrath”. During the depression of 1936, the Armstrong family headed to California in their Model A to see Frank’s brothers, Charley and Ira. While they were there, Frank worked in the peach harvest, then the family moved back to Oklahoma. Later, they would return to the California orchards and stayed for seven years.
Betty loved to travel and explore new things and places. One of the highlights of her travel was a fly fishing trip to Alaska with her brothers, where a helicopter dropped them in remote locations to fish for salmon. Her adventures also included trips around the United States and Europe.
Survivors include her daughters Kathleen Deel and husband Dickie of Durant, Oklahoma, Katrina Wetherby and husband Don, of Dublin, Ohio, son Jack Wells and wife Lucinda, of Katy, Texas; brothers Frank Ray Armstrong and wife Jean, of Durant, Oklahoma, Charles Armstrong and wife P.J., of Fort Worth, Texas, Ricky Armstrong and wife Teri, of Durant, Oklahoma; grandchildren Daryl Deel, of Caddo, Oklahoma, Kendra Gonzalez and husband Saul, of Katy, Texas, Meghan Wells, of Katy, Texas, Kent Sherrer, of Columbus, Ohio, Kate Finney and husband Nick, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jack “Trey" Wells III, of New York City; great grandchildren Carter, Ava, Grant and Isaac Gonzalez of Katy, Texas, and Tessa Wells, of Katy, Texas as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
A family visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00PM, Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Gordon Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00AM, Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, Oklahoma with Bro. Mark Harris officiating.
Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. 3rd, Durant, PH- 580-916-9090, www.gordonfh.com
She was a longtime resident of Caddo, Oklahoma. She graduated from Caddo High School in 1952 and married her high school sweetheart, Jack Raymond Wells, Sr., on June 30, 1952 in Sherman, Texas.
Over the years, Betty held many roles. Her first job was as a telephone operator in Caddo, delivered the Durant Daily Democrat newspaper, worked as a lunchroom manager for Caddo High School for many years and was a Women’s Auxiliary Pink Lady at Alliance Hospital. She was also a very active member of the Robinson Baptist Church, which she loved very much.
Betty always said her family lived the book “The Grapes of Wrath”. During the depression of 1936, the Armstrong family headed to California in their Model A to see Frank’s brothers, Charley and Ira. While they were there, Frank worked in the peach harvest, then the family moved back to Oklahoma. Later, they would return to the California orchards and stayed for seven years.
Betty loved to travel and explore new things and places. One of the highlights of her travel was a fly fishing trip to Alaska with her brothers, where a helicopter dropped them in remote locations to fish for salmon. Her adventures also included trips around the United States and Europe.
Survivors include her daughters Kathleen Deel and husband Dickie of Durant, Oklahoma, Katrina Wetherby and husband Don, of Dublin, Ohio, son Jack Wells and wife Lucinda, of Katy, Texas; brothers Frank Ray Armstrong and wife Jean, of Durant, Oklahoma, Charles Armstrong and wife P.J., of Fort Worth, Texas, Ricky Armstrong and wife Teri, of Durant, Oklahoma; grandchildren Daryl Deel, of Caddo, Oklahoma, Kendra Gonzalez and husband Saul, of Katy, Texas, Meghan Wells, of Katy, Texas, Kent Sherrer, of Columbus, Ohio, Kate Finney and husband Nick, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jack “Trey" Wells III, of New York City; great grandchildren Carter, Ava, Grant and Isaac Gonzalez of Katy, Texas, and Tessa Wells, of Katy, Texas as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
A family visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00PM, Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Gordon Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00AM, Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, Oklahoma with Bro. Mark Harris officiating.
Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. 3rd, Durant, PH- 580-916-9090, www.gordonfh.com