Bette Louise Stobaugh

Bette Louise Burnett was born on August 6, 1938. She is the daughter of Victor Burnett and Verda (Bretthauer) Burnett. She was the oldest of five siblings. Bette grew up in Pampa, Texas until the age of 10, when the family moved to Miami, Texas. There she attended school and later graduated valedictorian. During her time in school, Bette was active in softball, volleyball, basketball, and track. During the summer of 1955, before her senior year, her family moved to Las Cruses, New Mexico where Bette attended high school for one semester. In November of 1955, they returned to Miami, Texas. Miami High School is where she met the high school principal and began a lifelong friendship. After graduating from high school, that friendship continued and became the love of her life. Miss Bette Louise Burnett married Donald Lee Stobaugh on August 24, 1956 in Pampa, Texas. The two made their home in Miami for the next two years. During that time Debra Lyn was born. In 1959, Bette and Don moved the family to Collbran, Colorado, where he taught for three years. There, a second daughter, Dana Louise was born. Bette and Don returned to Miami while Don farmed and worked with his father-in-law building houses in Pampa. During this time a third daughter, Dara Lea, was born. In the fall of 1963, the family moved to Ariba, Colorado so Don could teach and coach sports. During the years there, Bette was active as a coachís wife transporting cheerleaders: bake sales, concession stands, building floats, active in the local Bridge club, book club as well as the church. While in Ariba, a fourth daughter was born, Dee Laine and a son, Donald Lee, Jr. In May of 1966, the family established a permanent home on the ranch west of Jennings, Oklahoma. At that time a daughter, Doris Lucil, was born. While building a life in Jennings, Bette raised the children and was active in school functions. She was instrumental changing the State and National FFA Organizations to allow girls to join as their oldest daughter entered high school and was determined to participate in FFA. Bette along with others organized to get the Yale show barn constructed. She organized numerous bake sales, concession stands, and fundraising activities. In the early 1970s, Bette launched a political career, running for Oklahoma State Representative against longtime incumbent, Rex Privett. Although she was unsuccessful, even having received over 40% of the vote, it fulfilled her lifelong dream and she was forever grateful for meeting and making many lifelong friends. With all of her children in school, Bette worked as a teacherís aide at Jennings School for a year, before starting her career in the business world. She began at Dalton Precision, working her way to manager positions in several business areas before the closure of the facility. Bette later took a managerial position with Telex Industries. She worked in the computer board repair shop which later moved to Cherokee Industrial Park. Due to a down turn in the economy, Bette began working as a manager at Zebco Industries. She oversaw the building inventory for the Zebco fishing reels. Once again the plant closed and the operations were sent to Mexico. Her original boss from Dalton Foundry called and asked her to come run his casting finish department at Empire Foundry and again after several years the business was downsized and her job ended. After a few years at home Bette signed a contract with 3M Company. Bette and Don established a second home in Brownwood, Texas, and formed Manufacturing Support Solutions (MSS) Company, with a partner to contract package printer ink. Bette managed and worked at MSS for several years until 3M stopped outsourcing their packaging work. Bette returned to Jennings to her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and to caring for Don. She will always be remembered for her passion of politics as well as being deeply loved and she will be greatly missed. Bette passed from this life on November 10, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 76 years, three months and four days. Bette is survived by her husband of 58 years, Don; their six children, Debra Lyn Bennett of Glencoe, Oklahoma; Dana Louise Brown and husband Cody of Baytown, Texas; Dara Lea Dixon and husband James of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Dee Laine Kimbrell and husband Gary of Owasso, Oklahoma; Donald Lee Stobaugh, Jr. ìLeeî and wife Sheena of Jennings, Oklahoma; Doris Lucil Molder and husband Wayne of Oilton, Oklahoma. She is also survived by a brother, Rick Burnett and wife Ann of Williston, North Dakota; two sisters Ronnie Lewis and husband Larry of Buena, Texas; Penny Guerreo and husband Larry of Dallas, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Bette was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Verda Burnett and a brother Clarence ìPepperî Burnett, Jr. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma with Pastor Casey Muse officiating. Following the services, family and friends are invited to gather at 56001 S. 35800 Rd., Jennings, OK 74038.