Betty J Daugherty

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Friday, February 9 at MMS Payne Funeral Home, 102 W. 5th St., Claremore, Oklahoma. 

Betty Jean Daugherty, 88, of Claremore, Oklahoma, died at approximately 12:30 p.m., Sunday, February 4, 2024, from complications due to Alzheimer’s, at The Courtyards Memory Care Facility at Claremore.

The fifth born of 14 children, Betty was the daughter of Arnie Arthur and Nina Judy (Smith) Dilldine. She was born on April 23, 1935, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Growing up, she pitched in to help the family anyway she could. Whether it meant helping her Mama in the kitchen or her Daddy in the fields, she knew how to work hard. With such a large family, it was not only required but a necessity.

On October 22, 1954, she married the love of her life, James (Jim) Daugherty. Just a few years later, they purchased a piece of land northeast of Claremore. In 1957, they welcomed their first of three sons, Guy, Arnie, and Jimmy.

Early on, Betty worked a few part-time jobs here and there, but she eventually became a full-time homemaker and gardener. She could preserve and can any kind of fruit or vegetable. She had one of the prettiest yards you could imagine. Greenthumb indeed. People were always commenting on her beautiful flowers and shrubs.

Betty also enjoyed talking on the phone with family and friends, especially her sisters Lois and Kathy, and her niece Tana. I’m sure her neighbors were glad when they discontinued the use of party lines. Ha Ha! She and Jim enjoyed playing cards and board games, like Yahtzee. Her sister Shirley and Shirley’s husband Marty Roberts were usually their opponents. 

A faithful member of the church, she loved to sing specials with her sisters. She enjoyed reading her bible and teaching the little ones about Jesus in Sunday school. There are so many more stories that could be told of her beautiful life. May those stories live on with each person who was blessed to know her. Betty, you will be missed here on earth, but one day we will all meet again.

She was preceded in death by her firstborn, Guy Lynn Daugherty, her parents, brothers Wayman Lee, Ralph and Bobby Dilldine and sisters Mary Lee Dilldine, Margaret Yocum and Shirley Roberts.

Betty is survived by her husband Jim of Claremore, sons Arnie of Bartlesville, Jimmy and his wife Sharon of Claremore; grandchildren Janell Daugherty of Claremore, Mandy and Jeff Burch of Mckinney, Texas, Kevin Daugherty of Melbourne, Florida, Paige and Leo Kogler of Bixby, Oklahoma, Julie and Justin Wilson of Bartlesville, and Shawna and Stephen Bennett of Jenks. Betty also leaves behind 8 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Lois Kalusha of Claremore, Gordon Dilldine of Claremore, Donnie Dilldine of Inola, Ernest Dilldine of Claremore, Johnny Dilldine of Tulsa, Larry Dilldine of Sequoyah, and Kathy Lamberson of Broken Arrow.

The family extends a special thank you to The Courtyards and their staff for caring for Betty. You are truly loving and caring people.