Betty Jane Stewart

Betty Jane Norseworthy Stewart was born on June 11th, 1941, in Wichita Falls, TX the daughter of William Andrew and Rita Lee (Solenberg) Norseworthy. She was raised with three brothers and two sisters, Billy Ray, Ruby, Lorene, Johnny and William. She grew up in Wichita Falls and relocated with her family to Lawton, OK. The family had a farm and there were never any shortages of adventures despite lack of funds. In 1960, she met and married Kenneth Lee Stewart, together they enjoyed 54 years of memories and adventures, while raising two children, Steven Wayne and Marsha Marie. Kenneth was a career Army man and the family traveled a great deal, and Kenneth serving in Vietnam. The family moved to California, and it was while they lived here that Kenneth worked helping to build the 60/125 Interchange and doing carpentry work. He also worked as a subcontractor doing underground utility work for Southern California Edison. Betty Jane and Kenneth would finally retire in the Park Hill area, and it was here that Betty started a career at a Certified Nurse’s Aide, a job she loved. She was a true people person and went the extra mile to care for the people entrusted to her. When the work was done, you could find Betty with the family she loved and adored. She was a fantastic cook and made the most wonderful meatloaf and strawberry cake, her Thanksgiving dinners were the best! She liked to knit and crochet, watch “Survivor” on TV and do word search puzzles. There was the time she went and took Kenneth’s tools from the shop and decorated his tools, Kenneth was not impressed. She adored her grandbabies, and never missed the chance to support them in their sports and school events. She was their biggest fan. She cared for Kenneth up to the time of his passing in 2014. Afterwards, she remained close to the family she loved, spending time and making memories. Her health began to fade, and she passed from this life on October 15th, 2024 at her home surrounded by those that knew and loved her. She was 83 years old and leaves a vacant chair that can’t be filled.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother and father, her husband Kenneth Stewart, three brothers, Billy Ray, Johnny and William Norseworthy, her sister, Ruby Lawson, and her grandson, Steven Drew Stewart in 1999.

Those left to celebrate her life include her children, Steve Stewart of Colton, CA and Marsha Cariker of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves one sister, Lorene Dees of Amarillo, TX. She leaves three grandchildren, Mathew Bowlin and wife Alyssa of Loma Linda, CA, Colton Hunter Cariker and wife Angela of Ft. Carson, CO, and Hannah Marie Cariker of Tahlequah. There are also three great grandchildren, Mathew Jay Stein of St. Cloud, MN, Cade Anthony Bowlin of Beaumont, Ca and Ayden Nicholas Bowlin of Loma Linda, CA. Last but not least, she leaves her furry canine companion, Barkley the Chihuahua, as well as many friends and a host of loved ones too numerous to mention.

Graveside services for Betty Jane Stewart will be conducted at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery where she will join her husband Kenneth Stewart, Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 at 2:30 with Reverend David Wiens officiating. She will be available for visitation Monday, October 21st, 2024, from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home in Tahlequah, OK.