Betty Jean Crafton

Betty Jean Crafton, 80, a longtime Fairland Educator passed away at Hillcrest South Hospital in Tulsa on Sunday, October 13, 2024. Betty was born in Fairland on August 28, 1944, to William Collis “Brownie” and Jessie Elizabeth (Goodman) Crafton. Betty graduated from Fairland High School, then went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College for her Associate’s, attained her Bachelor's Degree and Master’s Degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. While at Tahlequah she attended Chi Alpha which often traveled and sang at many churches. She would still get together at times with members of that group. She started her teaching career at Vinita, then Afton before landing at Fairland for twenty-six years. She mostly taught grade school and then reading. She loved kids and was even a cheer sponsor when she was needed. She was a member of the First Assembly of God in Fairland all her life. She loved her church family. Betty would make cookies for the youth often when she was able. Betty’s parents Brownie and Jessie Crafton preceded her in passing along with her siblings Ronnie Crafton, Jerry Lynn Crafton and Don Crafton, along with a niece Sheila Lockhart. Those who will carry on with Betty’s legacy are her brothers and sisters Bud Crafton Jr. and his wife Diane of Mississippi, Cathy Lockhart and her husband Larry of Tulsa, Jim Crafton and his wife Dorothy of Fairland and Pat Hays and her husband Sonny of Pierce City, Missouri. Also surviving are her nieces and nephews Buddy Crafton III, Tonya Reynolds, Tim Crafton, Tiffany Butts, Patrick Martin Hays and many great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 10:00 AM on Friday, October 18, 2024, at First Assembly of God in Fairland until the service time. Services will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday also at First Assembly of God in Fairland with Reverend Jackie Crafton and Reverend Tom Estes officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairland Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairland. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Betty’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Betty Jean Crafton

August 28, 1944 - October 13, 2024