Betty Jean Bursey was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on November 27, 1928 to Bernard M. "Pa" and Verna "Ellen" (Jones) Ford. She completed her earthly journey at the age of 97 on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Duncan.

Viewing will be at Whitt Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 30. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 31, at 10:00 A.M. at the Letitia Cemetery with Rev. Randy Southerland officiating. Her family will be serving as her pallbearers.

Betty was raised on a 160-acre farm around Pumpkin Center, east of Lawton, where her family raised cotton and cattle. She was employed at Welch Oil Company. She loved to play the card game Hearts and Moon, a game played with dominoes. She enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center. She was known for her cooking. She enjoyed spending time with her friends. She loved her family and took wonderful care of them. Betty was also very active in her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children, Charles E. Hennessee; second husband, Doug Bursey; grandson, JJ Pennington; and son-in-law, John Gilmore. Also preceding her in death were her brothers: Paul Ford, Karl Ford; and sister, Lois Hoskins.

Betty is survived by her children: Barbara Gilmore, Charles Hennessee, Joe and wife Becky Hennessee, and Brenda and husband James Beckham; grandchildren: Melissa Goodloe, Cade and wife Cori Hennessee, Joni Hennessee, Cole and wife Tesla Hennessee, Callie and husband Devon Williams, Gregg and wife Davinia Beckham, and Lee and wife Baylee Beckham; and great grandchildren: Vaughan Goodloe, Corbin Goodloe, Declan Hennessee, Hannah Hennessee, Molly Hennessee, Lane Leffler, Lexi Bryant, Gia Pogi, Jackson Pogi, Hayes Hennessee, Averee Adkins, and Bredy Beckham.

Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.