Betty Jo Watkins

Betty passed from this life on Sunday, March 8, 2026, into the arms of her Lord and Savior, from her earthly home, at the age of 95 and one half years.

Betty Jo Horner was born September 8, 1930, in Chelsea, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Jessie (Dewey) Horner. She was raised and educated in her birth community and would have graduated with the Chelsea High School class of 1949. The family moved to California in 1944, but only weeks after arriving, Betty's father died suddenly. She returned to Chelsea with her mother and siblings, quitting school in the eighth grade to work and help support her family. Betty took in ironing and house cleaning around Chelsea and in Foyil for a couple years as a live-in housekeeper for Abe and Opal McKenzie. She later worked at the Pig-N-Pen Cafe in Chelsea as a waitress and cook.

Betty met Joe Watkins at the city bakery about 1948, and the couple married April 13, 1950, in the presence of a drunk justice of the peace and two highway patrolmen, along with Joe's sister Juanita and Betty's cousin Perry Morrison. Shortly after marriage, they operated the Eastside Cafe in Chelsea, and later moved to Coffeyville, KS briefly, until Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army and later stationed in Korea. Betty remained on base in Arizona during his tour of duty where she was close to her mother and brother, and while expecting their first child. Upon Joe's honorable discharge, the couple returned to Chelsea, where they made their home for the remainder of their lives.

After raising their three children to school age, Betty began working at the school cafeteria, where she served as head cook for several years. During this time, she and her friend and neighbor Margaret Jones continued their education together, taking night classes and receiving their GED's in 1971.

Betty later worked in the cafeteria of Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Chelsea, followed by several years working in the Sewing Factory. She even painted a few houses, inside and out, often assisted by her children, and also assisted them with their paper routes and lawn mowing. She was a hard worker and was never one to be idle. She instilled the same ethics in her children. When she was at home, in addition to keeping a clean home and caring for her family, she could be found sewing, quilting, doing needlepoint, embroidery, and other crafts. She especially enjoyed crocheting. She made several afghans, lap quilts, and so on. She was an accomplished cook and was well known for her German Potato Salad, homemade noodles, pie crust, and custard pies. She and Joe could be seen every Friday evening for over 40 years, going out to eat and visiting with his cousin Tom and Pat Wilson. Until her eyesight began to fail, Betty kept meticulous finances, was never late with a payment, and never paid a late fee. Betty faithfully attended Calvary Lighthouse Church in Chelsea for the past 14 years. She loved and supported her Pastors Doug and Gina Pepper and was a faithful prayer warrior.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, husband of 59 years, Joe Watkins, son Ronnie Watkins, grandson Tommy Joe Watkins, siblings Charles Lee Horner and wife Sarah, and Emma Boen and husbands Bill Emery, Wayne Timmerman, and J.C. Boen, in addition to numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law from Joe's family, with whom she shared a close family bond.

Betty is survived by sons Rickey Watkins and wife Sue, and Daryl Watkins, both of Chelsea, daughter-in-law Rhonda Watkins of Bushyhead, sister-in-law Lois Watkins of Backus, MN, grandchildren Chuck Watkins and wife Andrea, Shane Watkins, Jack Watkins and Kyley Spears; great-grandchildren Duane and wife Jackie, Connor and wife Cheyenne, Cody and wife Abigail, Westin and Joesiah Watkins, Katelynn Nicewander, Adrienne and Mickey Theall and Declan; bonus grandchildren Michael, Isaiah, and Montana; and great-great-grandchildren Jasmine, Kenzie, and Grayson; granddaughter-in-law Heather Watkins and partner Mark, their daughter Annalise and soon to be born baby boy. Betty was also survived by numerous close nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, church family, and the daughter she never had, Marilynn Jones-Wilson Gibson. She will be missed by all who knew her.