Betty Thomas

Betty J. Thomas Betty June Smith Thomas 79, passed away Thursday at 5:30 AM July 28, 2011 at her home. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 2 at Wann Community Center with Pastor Jimmy Harrington officiating. Interment will be in Wann Cemetary. Arrangements are under the direction of Potts Funeral Home in Caney, KS. Betty was born June 2, 1932 in rural Washington County near Antioch School to Bob and Dorothy Bates Smith. She was the eldest of twelve children. She attended Wann School and received her teaching degree with Oklahoma Wesleyan and Bacone Colleges. She married Carl Tex Thomas on September 1, 1949 in Copan, OK. They lived in Thayer, KS. for five years before returning to the family farm in Wann in 1960. Betty was a member of the Thayer Christian Church. She previously attended the Methodist Church and was currently attending Ridin For The Brand Cowboy Church, both in Wann. She spent her married years as a homemaker, mother, and teacher. She was a Head Start teacher at Dewey, Copan and Wann Schools and substitute teacher at Wann and Oklahoma Union Schools. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, jig saw puzzles, Family Reunions and attending the Wann Senior Citizens. She also served as President of the Wann Senior Citizens. Betty is survived by her husband Carl of the home. Eight children Carol Crites and husband Joe of Ruidoso, NM., Chalk Thomas of Owasso, OK., Debbie Crites of Tulsa, OK., Patty Asher and husband Jon of Bartlesville, OK., Kevin Thomas and wife Janet of Copan, OK., James Thomas and wife Diana of Wann, OK., Linda Schweikert of Caney, KS., Lisa Jones and husband Skip of Wann, OK., 19 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, six sisters Mae Landrum of Bartlesville, OK., Colleen Fout of Shady Point, OK., Ruth Clopp of Dewey, OK., Marge and husband Les Walker of Seminole, OK., Barb and husband Gary Owen of Dewey, OK., Wanda Miller of Caney, KS., a sisterinlaw Pat Smith Bodkins of Wann, OK., along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Dorothy Smith, granddaughter Megan Thomas, three brothers Sonny Smith, Wes Smith and Tom Smith, two sisters Doris Jay and Karen Barton.