Betty Francis James

Our Mother, Betty Seat James passed from this earth on August 26, 2023, with a smile to her heavenly father at age of 96. She was born, Betty Francis Scott on April 27, 1927, in Marlow, Oklahoma to Virgil and Lillie May Scott as their fifth child.

Mother attended Marlow High School where she graduated in 1945 and was honored that her father signed her high school diploma as President of the Marlow School Board. She was proud of her Stephens County heritage as she lived in Marlow for her first twenty years and in Duncan for the remaining seventy-six years. After high school graduation, Mother and her close friend Joanne Brooks (Pierce) attended and graduated from Hills Business College in Oklahoma City. She and Joanne also regularly wrote letters of appreciation to U. S. Solders serving in WW II. She loved being an American and an Oklahoman. She was proud that Scott Street in West Marlow is named after her Scott family.
In late 1945, Mother met Bobby Seat, Jr, of Cox City, Oklahoma who had served in Generals Omar Bradley and George Patton's 20th Armored Division of the 3rd Army. After the War, on December 20th, 1946, Bobby and Betty were married in Henrietta, Texas.

They established their home in Duncan, Oklahoma where Dad became employed in managing a furniture and pipe moving business - later known as Millstead Van Lines. Mother was an accounts payable clerk at Halliburton. She was active at the Eastside Church of Christ where she was a Charter Member and one of the initiators of "Love in Action." She thoroughly enjoyed her family, cooking, sewing, gardening and most of all her commitment to a Christian Life.

In 1950 their first child David was born. Linda followed nineteen months later. Mother and Dad devoted their life to their two children and the many associations that would bring. David and Linda were the pride of her life. During the 1960's, they were involved in leading the youth activities at the Westside Church of Christ where Dad served as a Deacon. They were devoted parents attending and supporting the activities of their two children while in Duncan Schools along with David and Linda's further studies and degree graduation at Oklahoma Christian College. Always involved, Mother taught 5th grade Bible Class for over thirty years and was involved in writing the curriculum. Professionally, she was a legal secretary at the Law Firm of Cund, Garvin and Bonney.

In the 1970's after her children married, with David and Mary Lynn in Duncan (later in Edmond) and Linda and Tim in Arlington, Texas, during the late 1970's and 1980's, Mother became the doting grandmother of six grandchildren. She hosted many family events in her home over the years. Unexpectantly, in 1977, Dad became ill and passed to his Lord and Savior on June 12, 1979.
Mother continued as a devoted grandmother moving to the employment of the Red River Vo-Tech School where she was the assistant to Superintendent Delbert Morrison - she thoroughly enjoyed that employment.

In 1983, Mother was introduced to Jack James of Waurika, Oklahoma through mutual friends. Their friendship grew to marriage on June 4, 1984. They continued their involvement at the Eastside Church of Christ, with a dedication to their family and an enjoyment of traveling. Jack and Mother traveled to all 50 of the United States. They were also very involved in attending their grandchildren's school activities. "The Cousins" loved to meet at Grandmom Bet's and Jack's for backyard football or driveway basketball and where there were always feasts and laughter to enjoy. It is with deep love, appreciation, admiration and respect that we have for Jack for taking such sound and loving care of our beloved Mother! And, for being a wonderful caring "Jack" to all of our children and grandchildren!

Mother was proceeded in death by her parents, Virgil and Lillie May Scott of Marlow, her sisters Bonnie Scott Norton of Duncan, Alta Scott Barker of Marlow and Brothers J.D. Scott of Marlow, and Lincoln Scott of Marlow. She is survived by her husband Jack James of Duncan, her son David Seat and wife Mary Lynn Seat of Edmond and daughter, Linda Ford and husband Tim Ford of Colleyville, Texas. She is also survived by her deeply loved grandchildren of (David and Mary) Rob and Katie Seat of Edmond, Carrie Seat Gotcher and Wes Gotcher of Midland, Texas and Dave and Rachel Seat of Edmond along with eleven great grandchildren. Plus, deeply loved grandchildren of (Linda and Tim) Sam and Hollee Ford of Colleyville, Texas, Ty and Janelle Ford of Longview, Texas and Cole and Tiffany Ford of Denton, Texas plus nine wonderful great grandchildren; twenty in total. Mother also leaves behind so many devoted friends and their special relationships.

A special thanks is given to the doctors and staff at Duncan Regional Hospital including Dr. Jimmy Jones, Dr. Herndon, Dr. Miller, Dr. Giles, Dr. May and Dr. Hurst plus the wonderful nursing teams including Taylor Colvin. Additionally, the family is deeply appreciative for the Wilkins Health Center, the caregiving staff along with Tony Wilkins, Tyler Wilkins and Jessica Parker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent in honor of Mother to: Camp Deer Run, 1227 Co Rd 4590, Winnsboro, Tx 75494; or, Oklahoma Christian University Scholarship Fund, 2501 East Memorial Road, Edmond, Ok. 7301

David Seat, Edmond, OK
Linda Ford, Colleyville, TX

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