Bette Stockton

Funeral Services for Bette Stockton, 90, lifetime area resident will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, June 26, 2013 in the First Baptist Church, officiated by Terrill Mitchell and burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Bette (Patterson) Stockton was born Myram Elizabeth Paterson on June 29, 1922 to William and Fannie (Moore) Patterson in Bessie, Oklahoma. She was the 12th child of 12 children. She was known as Bette all her life to her friends but her brothers and sisters called her “Baby Sister.” She passed away Friday, June 21, 2013 in Fairview, Oklahoma, She moved to Clinton with her parents when she was four months old and the family settled on South 18th Street where she lived most of her life. She attended Clinton Schools and graduated in 1940. On Prom night, May 10, 1940 she eloped and married Wendell Stockton in the Baptist Church in Hobart, OK. The waited a week, until after her graduation, before telling their families. She and Wendell had a love filled marriage, working side by side for many years in the dairy business and later in the Gulf Gas Station on Gary Boulevard in Clinton. In 1950 they moved to the home next door to her childhood home on South 18th Street. There she spent many hours tending t her beloved garden and beautiful yard. Bette was a lifetime active and faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Clinton. It has been recorded that she holds one of the longest tenure of membership in the history of the Clinton Church. There she served on many committees, and for years she served as director of the pre-school program, often referring to the children in her loving care as “my kids”, even after so many were grown with children of their own. She loved being a member of the Senior Joy Choir and anything involving worship; and sharing her love for Jesus. She was well known for the costumes she made for the many church productions. She was an original member of the Friday Women’s Bridge Club. Bette and Wendell attended most of the Clint High School sports activities, and supported the Red Tornadoes any way they could. Active in the PTA for Southwest Elementary School, Bette served as President for one year, and was an active member and held offices in the Junior Service League. Upon failing health, Bette moved to Fairview Fellowship home in Fairview, OK, near her son Bill. There she touched the lives of so many. She enjoyed being involved in the daily activities, and never missed a bible study, gospel singing, Sunday school lesson, or church service. She made many friends while there, especially anyone willing to bring her Godiva Chocolate! Bette was a devoted wife and mother and will be greatly missed by the entire communities. She was preceded in death by Wendell Stockton, her husband of 65 years. She is survived by her two children, Bill Stockton and his wife, Carole, of Fairview, OK and Sherry England and her husband Larry of Tucson, AZ, 5 Grandchildren, Rick Stockton of Santa Clarita CA, Sonya an d Nick Ylla of Edmond, Karen and Tony Ashcraft, of Oklahoma City, Alan and Terrie Pearce of Weatherboard, OK, and Nancy and Sid Niles of Fairview, OK and 10 great grandchildren; Wendell Reed Ylla, Grace Elizabeth Stockton, Berkley Elizabeth Ylla, Calvin Jon Ylla, Tracy Mann, Blake Ashcraft, Christopher Pearce, Clera Pearce, Bethany Niles, and Grant Niles. Great great grandchildren Nicholas Pearce and Emily Pearce.