Betty Flinchum passed away September 6th from complications related to a sudden stroke. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Betty was born in Alanreed, Texas and grew up in the Panhandle. In 1973 the family moved to Stavanger, Norway – an achievement she credited as a blessing. Upon return to the United States, the family settled in Oklahoma, most recently in Edmond.
Betty loved being the life of the party! She never met a stranger and enjoyed traveling internationally and throughout the United States. Betty was a homemaker, wonderful cook, fabulous quilter and textile artist, and she enjoyed sharing the fruits of her labors. As a mom, she served on the Executive Board of the PTA at her children’s elementary school for several years. Betty cheered at little league games, baked hundreds of brownies, cupcakes and rice crispy squares for school bake sales, and served as room mother or helper in all of her children’s and grandchild’s classes. Betty was a gifted seamstress and sewed drama costumes and organized numerous cast parties for her children’s dramatic productions. She loved collecting hedgehogs, doing jigsaw and word puzzles, browsing in the local quilt shops, going to estate sales and to Broadway shows. She was an avid sports fan loving a live professional game and happy with watching her favorite teams every season on television, often with lively commentary.
Betty was most proud of her family sharing a marriage of 65 years with her husband Alton who preceded her in death. She loved her three children and was all too happy to talk about their successes. Betty was known as “MorMor” to her grandchild and carried a little bit of her favorite Norway with her always. And once she became a dog lover, she was one for life. Betty was also a woman of faith who participated in a variety of church programs including Ladies Bible Class, Women’s Church Choir, and Sunday School teacher for four and five year olds. She enjoyed the fellowship of her church congregants especially cooking for pot luck dinners and organizing themed luncheons for the ladies socials. She was involved in outreach programs giving senior citizens rides to church services, preparing care baskets for those home bound and regularly donating to the church pantry.
In recent years her health began to deteriorate, but her strong will and determination to get better kept her moving. We are most thankful for a variety of people who assisted with her care, especially Ella Grissom whose love and friendship were a bright light in our Mom’s life. The nursing staff at Touchmark was wonderful to her, and they all loved talking with and caring for “Miss Betty” on their daily shifts.
Betty is survived by her three children – Matthew Flinchum, Carolyn Flinchum, Marilyn Flinchum (Mike North); her favorite grandchild Naomi Flinchum-Marquez (Daniela Marquez), two great grandchildren – Noah Marquez and Maya Marquez, and three granddogs – Midnight, Reggie and Alfred. We are grateful for a life well-lived, that she is now at peace, and that she is reunited with her loving husband.
Services will be held Thursday, September 12, 2024, 11:00am at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Rd, Oklahoma City, Ok. Memorial tributes can be made online by clicking here or mailed to Mercy Health Foundation OKC in memory of Betty Flinchum at 13321 N. Meridian, Oklahoma City, OK 73120 in support of their palliative care services.
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