Betty Louise Wofford
December 8, 1935 – June 5, 2025

Betty Louise Poynor Wofford was born on December 8, 1935, in the countryside near Owasso, Oklahoma. She was the first child of Ola Belle and Ulysses Grant Poynor. The Poynor family grew to include her beloved sisters, Shirley and Barbara, and her younger brother, Wayne.

Betty enjoyed a joyful childhood, spending her days adventuring with her siblings and making their own fun around the countryside. As the eldest, she often was called to work with her father as he maintained his trucks while she honed her own mechanical skills and knowledge.  She attended schools in Owasso and Talala, and graduated from Collinsville High School in 1953, earning the Home Economics Award. She treasured the lifelong friendships she made during those years and relished attending the "Nifty Fifties" reunions.

Betty met her future husband, Donal Eugene Wofford, in the sixth grade. Their friendship blossomed into love during high school, and they were married one year after graduation.

A proud graduate of Draughn School of Business, Betty started her career in accounting after high school. Her first job was at First National Bank in downtown Tulsa, then at Utica Square Bank, where she quickly rose to head bookkeeper. Don's career took them to St. Louis for a time, where they welcomed their first child Matthew in 1960.  They settled back in Tulsa in a home Don designed and built and expanded their family with Mark in 1963, and Dawn in 1966.

In addition to raising her children, Betty volunteered at Saint Francis Hospital and was a regular blood donor, generously giving her rare O-type blood. In 1975, the family moved to Wagoner to pursue Don's dream of owning a lumberyard. Betty quickly became integral to the business, running the office and operations with strength, intelligence, and wit—often giving the men "what-for" in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She was proud to have helped make Wagoner Lumber one of the first computerized businesses in the area during the 1980s.

Despite long hours at the lumberyard, Betty was actively involved in community life. She participated in numerous clubs—too many to list—and often served in leadership roles. She and her family joined First Baptist Church of Wagoner soon after moving. Her faith was strong and straightforward: she knew Jesus and lived as His hands and feet. She served in vacation Bible school, helped with church finances, earned her CDL to drive the church's people mover, taught Sunday school, participated in the choir, crafted custom costumes for church plays, and lovingly prepared meals for children's church camps and gatherings. Acts of service were her love language, and she lived that out every day.

Betty was always curious and adventurous. At 45, she earned her pilot's license and embraced her love of travel. Her "middle name was GO," she would say. She enjoyed countless trips with family and friends, including her beloved sisters and her church group. One of her greatest joys was traveling to the Holy Land—several times.

If you stopped by her home, you were likely to be taught a competitive card game of Hand and Foot. She played weekly with her siblings for many years and cherished that time together. Her peanut brittle became legendary, and she freely shared the recipe. Each Holiday season she would buy 100 pounds of peanuts making brittle each evening till the sack was empty.  At the lumberyard the platter of brittle was often empty before noon. Customers could be seen sneaking an extra piece into their pockets.  While delicious, her chicken and noodles and Belgian waffles were her grandchildren's family favorites.

After Don's passing, Mark stepped up, assisted Betty and later purchased Wagoner Lumber. Mark took the helm while she handled the back-office work. Betty cherished the time spent with Mark and his family at lumber yard. She was, and always would be, the backbone of what was Wagoner Lumber/Ace Hardware.

Independent and determined, Betty mowed her own lawn until she was 80. She encouraged her children to be self-reliant and valued education deeply. Her motto: "Never depend on a man—do it yourself." And she lived by it.

Becoming "Granny Betty" was one of her life's greatest joys. She played an active role in the lives of all her grandchildren, especially her "Wagoner girls" from Mark and Teresa, and later Dawn's children when they moved to town.
She instilled in them her work ethic, determination and compassion. She told them you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Don, her sons Matthew and Mark, her sister Barbara Davis, and her parents. She also mourned the loss of many dear friends and relatives over the years.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Dr Dawn Teel Pearson (Dr Doug Pearson) of Pryor; her sister Shirley Ewton of Claremore; and her brother Wayne Poynor of Broken Arrow. She leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren: Elaine Moore (Daniel) of Warner, Hannah Lonsdale (Dan) of Owasso, Savanna Givens (Cade Rector Redeagle) of Tulsa, Jared Wofford of Tulsa, Molly Collins (Christian) of Fort Smith, AR, Dr. Thomas Givens (Cate) of Kopavogur, Iceland, Dr. Dane Wofford of Tulsa, and Matthew Wofford of Tulsa. Betty was blessed with six great-grandchildren, many beloved nieces and nephews, and her cherished church family.

A trailblazer, a woman of grit and grace, a loving mother, grandmother, and friend—Betty Wofford leaves behind a legacy of strength, service, and love. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at the First Baptist Church, Wagoner, Oklahoma, to celebrate the Life of Betty Wofford. Reverend Mark Pointer will officiate.  A memorial reception will be held immediately following the service at First Baptist Church.

Charitable donations can be made to First Baptist Church, Wagoner, Oklahoma, in honor of Betty Wofford to show appreciation or support, and such donations often serve as meaningful tributes, contributing to the Church's mission and community programs.

The family of Betty Wofford has entrusted Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory with her care, service, and cremation, 417 East Cherokee, Wagoner, Oklahoma 74467, 918-485-2911.