Betty Jo Bowling Lea lived at Sommerset Neighborhood Assisted Living in Oklahoma City, OK. She passed away November 12, 2021 peacefully in her sleep.
Betty was born October 1, 1930, in Lindsay, TX to Joe Woods Bowling and Lottie Charlotte Harburger Bowling. She recalled fond memories of her childhood: “My grandma lived across the street from us when I was little, and I would always eat breakfast there. I would always sneak up on them by crawling under the fence instead of taking the gate so they wouldn’t hear me coming.”
The family picked cotton to make ends meet. She loved to sing in the choir at church and always laughed that the choir director couldn’t tell her and her sister, Dovie “Tootor”, apart. Betty was the oldest of her siblings and often helped take care of them for her mother.
She met her husband, Billie Othel Lea, while picking cotton and they married in Texarkana, TX. After the passing of her husband in August 1967, Betty worked as a single mother while raising her two children, Charles and Pam. She had a long career working as a Dietary Aide at Wilson N. Jones hospital in Sherman, TX.
She loved spending time with family and was adored by her grandchildren. They all looked up to their grandmother as an intelligent woman who was a hard worker and persevered through adversity.
Betty was preceded in Death by her parents: Joe Woods and Lottie Charlotte Harburger Bowling; husband: Billie Othel Lea, and siblings: Dovie (Tooter) May Bowling Morales, Leroy Bowling, Sonny Bowling, Floyd Dean Bowling; son: Charles Adrian Lea; and granddaughter-in-law: Nikkole Lea.
She is survived by her children: Pamela Kay Cherry of Oklahoma City, OK and Daughter-in-law Lou Amidan Lea of The Colony, TX. Five Grandchildren: Kristoffer Allen Lea, Brandi Lea Vironda, Elizabeth Lea Chandler, Travis Reed Cherry, and Katelin Dae Cherry. 5 Great Grandchildren: Taylor Nikkole Lea, Jonathan Andrew Lea, Michael Anthony Lea, Ethan Wayne Chandler, and Owen Reed Chandler. Siblings: Nona B. (Sal) Reynolds of Callisburg, TX, Johnnie Ruth Waren of Riverside, CA, Don Edward Bowling of Sherman, TX and J.W. Bowling of Colbert, OK.
Pallbearers are her grandsons: Kristoffer and Travis and grandson-in-laws: Phillip Joel Chandler, Christopher John Murphy, and Phillip Joseph Vironda and great-grandson, Jonathan. Honorary pallbearers are her great grandsons, Michael, Ethan, and Owen.
The family would like to personally thank the staff of Southwest Mansions and Sommerset Neighborhood who cared for our mother with compassion and dignity over the past several years.
In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations to be made to your favorite charity.
my sweet aunt. she was such fun just being who she was. she could keep you laughing. when her and my mom got together it was never a dull moment. she was a hard worker and a great mother raising her children to be outstanding people for she was widowed at a young age she was a strong woman who will dearly be missed. she and my mom are enjoying each other in heaven.
Pam Prayers and hugs are with you and your family. Loved Aunt Betty Jo she was a precious jewel.
Pam, I am your cousin, Mary Dell and Jr. Collins oldest daughter, Sharon. We played together a lot when you lived in Burleson, Texas. I think Charles was about a year older than I was and you were about Gay’s age. When I saw you at Mama Lea’s funeral, I knew you had to be Pam, because you look so much like your Mom. I am so sorry about your Mom. She was so nice to us. Sounds like the grandchildren kept her very busy.
Condolences to you and your family
Pam,
Prayers for you and your family during this time of loss
Your cousin,
Frank
Colossians 1:13
Danny and I pray that God will comfort you and the family in this time of loss.
Danny and Gwen Bowling