Betty Jo Sears

Betty Jo Sears was born August 17, 1922 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Hugh Moody and Thelma (Deuel) Chapman. Betty was raised and attended school in Cleveland, growing up in the Chapman Funeral Home. She graduated from Cleveland High School with the class of 1940.

Betty was married to Roy Clifford Sears, Sr., on October 11, 1941 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. After their marriage, Roy and Betty established their home in Norman as Roy was attended the University of Oklahoma. Betty returned to Cleveland while Lieutenant Sears was serving as a Flight Officer during World War II. The couple had three children, Gary Hugh, Kathleen Kay and Roy Chapman. Upon Roy's honorable discharge the Sear's family commenced a long journey of following work in the Petroleum Industry. They resided in McCamey, Texas from 1946 until 1948; then moving to Sumatra and Bogot before moving to Tulsa in 1953. In 1959, the couple moved the family to Levelland, Texas and then to Hobbs, New Mexico. Later they moved to Wichita, Kansas and then to Houston, Texas for a couple of years.

During these travels following Roy's career, Betty attended Texas Tech University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She later worked as a parole officer for the New Mexico Department of Corrections in Hobbs. Roy and Betty moved to Oklahoma City in 1976. Roy preceded her in death on December 17, 1994.

Although Betty was interested in art and art appreciation her entire life, it was not until 1964 that her love of art developed into a nearly full-time passion. Betty was an extremely talented artist; working with water colors and acrylics creating many beautiful paintings, many of which were shared with her family and friends throughout the years. In 1976, Betty starting showing her art in Oklahoma City at local art festivals and fairs and has continued to display her art until 2007 when for health reasons she was unable to continue. She currently has one painting in her portfolio that remains unfinished; a picture of the West Texas landscape of mesquites and the desert area surrounding Lubbock. For many years, she donated paintings as needed for fund raising efforts of the Episcopalian Diocese in Oklahoma City as part of their annual auction. In additon to her artistry projects, Betty served as a voluteer in Oklahoma City, serving in the Episcopal Church ministry to the sick and house bound for nearly ten years.

In July of 1998, Betty relocated to Lubbock, Texas to be near her daughter and son. In Lubbock, she was a member of the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Betty Jo Sears passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the VistaCare Center at Carillon in Lubbock, Texas at the age of eighty five years.

She is survived by her daughter Dr. Kathleen Sears of Lubbock; son, Roy Chapman Sears of Lubbock, Texas; two granddaughters, Kelly Sears of Gainesville, Florida and Melissa Sears of Lubbock, Texas; great-granddaughter, Bailey Sears of Lubbock, Texas; two brothers, Dr. Frank Chapman of Bristow, Oklahoma and H. M. "Rusty" Chapman of Cleveland, Oklahoma. In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Chapman; a son, Gary Hugh Chapman, and a sister, Mrs. Merle L. "Billie" Black.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com