Betty Mae Hankins made her journey homeward to Heaven at 88 years young. She passed peacefully onward January 20, 2021 at her residence in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Betty, a long time breast cancer survivor and worlds best Grandmother, was born on August 30, 1932 in Hugo, Oklahoma to Robert Yates and Viola Mae Shackleford. She was the 4th of nine siblings. Betty spent her youngest years living in Hugo, Oklahoma before moving to Carnegie, Oklahoma with her family at age 3. There she grew up working on cotton farms with her parents and tending to her younger siblings whom she loved dearly. She met her husband Robert Frank Hankins (Bob) at a soda shop while he was working construction. She said when he finally got up the nerve to ask her on a date she had already decided they would be married! That they did, on November 12, 1949. They started their life together in Carnegie before moving to Roswell, New Mexico after Bob came home from his time in the service. Together they welcomed a daughter, Donna Gayle and son, Steven Edward. They resided in Oklahoma until a tragedy took Betty’s oldest Brother and they moved to Gridley, California to be with her family. They stayed there for 20 years, before moving to Okmulgee, Oklahoma. As much moving as Betty has done in her lifetime she has always considered Okmulgee to be her “true” home. She has been so loved by so many in our community.
Betty served many, many years at the formally known “Okmulgee Memorial Hospital” as a hospital volunteer. She donned her Pink Jacket with pride and ran the snack kitchen with humor and an immense amount of respect for those she served. She made several friends in her time there and was always grateful for the time she spent behind the counter.
Betty was a member of First Baptist Church in Okmulgee, where she spent her time serving in the kitchen. She volunteered her time through many VBS summers, funeral dinners, church events and was also an active member in the B.A.L.L. group. She was very close to her church family.
Betty was an avid reader, you could catch her most Mondays at the Okmulgee Public Library. One of her crowning glory stories was that she proudly took each of her grandchildren to get their first library card and went on regular weekly trips to take them to pick out new books.
Betty was a master quilter and crochet-er. She had several talents and loves but her favorite place to be was in her kitchen surrounded by the sounds of her family crowding into her home. Betty spent many years making pies for Sue’s Little Peso’s and other customers who hunted her down after trying a “fried pie” for the first time. She so enjoyed bringing joy to others by cooking or creating things for them.
Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was not the things she did, but the people she counted as family and friends. Betty loved her family with every bit of the heart God gave her. She prided herself on being at every single school event, birthday, birth, and life accomplishment. She never missed a special day. Her extended family included the girls in the “Friday Breakfast Club” who met at McDonald’s each Friday morning for years and years.
Betty spent her last 3 years residing at The Gardens in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The healthcare workers and support staff there have become like family to her, especially over the last year as they stood in the gap during the unfortunate shut down of nursing centers.
Betty is survived by her Daughter, Donna Conway of Tulsa, Daughter-In-Love, Jayme Hankins of Okmulgee. Granddaughter Heather Conway and Husband Carlos of Louisville, Kentucky. Granddaughter Brooke Hankins-Provence and Husband Mickey of Okmulgee. Grandson, Lee Conway and wife Tish of Texas. Grandson, Peter Hankins of Okmulgee. Grandson, Garrett Hankins and wife Michelle of Newcastle, Oklahoma. 9 great grandchildren, Alea, Andy, Noah, Elle, Nova, Isabella, Evan, Sawyer and Weston. Sister in law, Rita Horn of Broken Arrow. Sister’s Sue Mund of Biloxi, Mississippi, Kay Williams of Biggs, California. Rhonda Williams of Biggs, California and many, many nieces and nephews and several life long friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Yates and Viola Mae, her husband, Bob Hankins, her son, Steve Hankins, her sister Louella “Sis” Miller, Brother, Harrison Jay Shackleford, Brother, Dean Shackleford, Brother, Bob Wayne Shackleford, Brother Neal Shackleford and Best Friend, Dolores Anderson. Funeral arrangements made through McClendon-Winters funeral home.
Service will be held Monday, January 25, 2021 at 2:00PM at McClendon-Winters Funeral Home Chapel.
