Betty Wilkinson

Betty Lee Wilkinson, 86, passed peacefully from her earthly home to Heaven on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. She loved her home where her daughter Linda wonderfully and passionately cared for her until her death.

Betty was born Dec. 26, 1933, in Edmond, to Edgar and Mila Pryor.

She married the love of her life, Jack Lee Wilkinson, April 29, 1955, in Clovis, N.M. They made their home in Kingfisher and were married 38 years.

Three children were born into the family: Debbie, Linda and Bobby.

Betty was a hard worker and worked most of her life until her health began to fail. She began working at age 17 for Southwestern Bell in Edmond as a telephone operator.

When the family moved to Kingfisher, she became a telephone operator at Pioneer Telephone and later a supervisor. After 25 years of service at Pioneer, she retired.

Betty worked numerous other jobs following retirement, including one she loved most, Hitchin’ Post in Kingfisher, where she became known as “Betty Boop” and the best pizza chef in town.

Betty’s greatest love was her family. She cherished every moment she was able to spend with them.

When she wasn’t able to drive any longer, she made sure to call often, usually daily, to stay in touch.

Fishing was a favorite for Betty and she was good at it, often catching the biggest fish. Betty loved lake time with friends and family and although she never learned to swim, she loved boat rides.

Football was another passion and you had no doubt that OU was her team.

Vegetable gardening and flowers were also a hobby for Betty. She could grow some pretty awesome tomatoes and okra in her day.

Preparing meals for others was fun for her – none of us ever could make potato salad like mom’s. Her chili was a specialty and she loved entering the chili cook-off contests.

She had a huge, generous and loving heart that touched everyone who met her. Even on her worst days she was encouraging others and managing to smile through the pain. She was an inspiration and joy to all.

Betty was a faithful member of Frontline Ministries and loved her church family as her own.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Debbie Burpo and husband Tim of Kingfisher and Linda Henderson of Kingfisher; son Bob Wilkinson and wife Misty of Rocky; one brother, Richard Pryor of Edmond; and sister-in-law, Beverly Taylor of Edmond.

She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Lisa Patton, Lori Savage, Laci Warren, Leah Burpo, Laine Warren, Michael Ahlden, Jennifer Ahlden, William Gray, Bobby Lee Wilkinson, and Matthew Wilkinson; 13 great-grandchildren, Kiley Parkhurst, Marli Savage, Kolton and Kaleb Kretchmar, Emily and Evan Warren, Isaiah Pirtle, Hannah and Blake Warren, Brady Patrick, Hunter Ahlden, Isabelle O’Bannon, and Bobby Lee Wilkinson III; and one great-great-grandchild, Apollo Parkhurst.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jack Wilkinson; two grandsons, Jason and John Ahlden; two brothers, one being her twin, Bobby Pry-or, and Allen Pryor; one sister, Liz Hutton; and many nieces and nephews and host of friends.

Services will be offi ciated by Pastor Ron Porter at Frontline Ministries, 124 W. Erwin in Kingfi sher, at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10.

Memorial donations may be made to Frontline Ministries Family Life Center; in memory of Betty Lee Wilkinson.