Betty Lu (Tacker) Echols was born on September 3, 1932, in Blue Mounds, Oklahoma, to Earl Tacker and Cora (Merrell) Tacker.  She attended and graduated from Okay Public School in 1950.  She met and married the love of her life, Thelbert Echols May 13, 1950, they shared a joyful marriage that lasted nearly 58 years until his passing in 2008, marking a long-lasting and loving relationship that endured through many stages of life.

Betty's upbringing on her parents' farm provided her with hands-on experience in agricultural practices, farm management, and a strong work ethic that shaped her skills, resilience, and understanding of rural life.

Betty was a passionate outdoors enthusiast who found joy in fishing for crappie, painting oil portraits and landscapes, and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens.  Her love for nature was evident in her daily activities, from watching cattle and horses to spending as much time outside as possible, embodying a deep appreciation for the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.  Family was extremely important to her; she loved visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty's folks had instilled a strong work ethic in her at a young age.  She started working at Brewer Industries in electronics in Porter, Oklahoma, and then became a beautician, using her talent to make others feel great about themselves. She eventually became the dietitian for Okay Public Schools. She loved to interact with the children, she had a very successful career, and retired, enjoying her retirement for several years.

Betty departed this life on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Countryside Memory Care Center of Muskogee, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at the age of 92 years.  Preceding her in death are her parents, Earl and Cora Tacker; Husband, Thelbert Echols; son, Bryan Echols; and a sister, Maxanna Tacker.

Those left to cherish the many fond memories of Betty's life include her children, Sam Echols of Gainesville, TX, Dean Echols and wife, Lucretia of Okay, OK; grandchildren, Deana Irving of Broken Arrow, OK, Jeremy Echols of Okay, OK, Steven Echols and wife, Cora of Okay, OK, Jay Wortman and wife, Jean of Neosho, MO, Eskia Price and husband, Steve of Gainesville, TX; several great and great-great grandchildren; sisters, Earline Gaunt and Helen Guthrie and her husband, Clarence; and a special niece, Sharon Kay Westbrooke of Okay, OK.

Her family will deeply miss her presence but find solace in the knowledge that she is reunited with her husband, Thelbert, and is now in the comforting presence of the Lord.

A Celebration of Life, honoring the life of Betty Echols will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 2:00 pm, in the Chapel of Mallett Funeral Home.

Interment will follow at Bennett Addition of Elmwood Cemetery, Wagoner, Oklahoma.