Betty Gae Sappington

Betty Gae Sappington, was born July 1, 1939 to Joel Martin Hughes and Willie Mae (Howard) Hughes in Tipton, Oklahoma. She was the middle daughter of three girls. Betty grew up on a farm near Davidson, Oklahoma, in a very strong Christian home and farming community. During her school years she was active in sports, played the piano, and in the summers also helped in the fields of the family farm.

She attended Southwestern University in Weatherford, Oklahoma where she joined the BSU. There she met William Earl (Bill) Sappington and the two married June 13, 1959. Shortly thereafter they had their first and only child Lisa, and moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1960.

They first attended First Baptist Church, but later helped form a charter church Henderson Hills Baptist Church. Lifetime members, Betty served as church pianist from inception in 1965 until 1980 with Bill serving as a deacon and a member of every committee, always raising funds and building on to an ever-growing church.

Betty’s professional career started in 1960, working for the State of Oklahoma in the General Land Office. She started as Sr. Stenographer, and through the next 20-plus years of service would retire and leave as an assistant director.

Betty attained a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Central State University while working in the Land Office, later going to work for Tinker Air Force Base. She served in contracting and purchased parts for aircraft for many years, and studied and attained her Master’s degree during this time. Later Betty was assigned in Food Services at Tinker and was placed in charge of running the three separate dining facilities feeding on- and off-base personnel. She was most noted there for her planning and overseeing of the holiday menus for those who had to stay and serve, unable to travel home to family, to make sure they had a letter of appreciation and a delicious holiday meal.

After 20-plus years at Tinker Air Force Base as well, Betty again retired.

Approximately three years later in 2003, Betty moved to Georgetown, Texas to be close to her daughter Lisa and Son-in-Law David (Dave) Preister. She built a home and began serving as a volunteer at the Georgetown Hospital, working in the Gift Shop where she served for 13 years. Betty served her neighborhood HOA as well, again planning holiday menus for the Christmas parties. She attended Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown and was in the ladies Bible study group there for many years. In August of 2017 she was diagnosed with cancer. After a hard fought battle, she eventually succumbed to her illness.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Lisa Preister and husband David; her sisters, Ellen Hulsey and husband Alfred Hulsey and Lynda Gilpin; brother-in-Law, Wayne Clyma; aunt, Bess Hughes; nephews, Mark Hulsey and wife Rebecca, Tobin Gilpin and wife Kim, Tod Gilpin and wife Kristen, Gary Clyma, Howard Clyma and Christy, Steve Sappington and wife Anna; niece, Ann Sappington; as well as many great nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her father Joel Hughes, her mother Willie Mae Hughes, her husband William Earl (Bill) Sappington.

The family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 12:30 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. Funeral services will follow at 2:30 P.M. at Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown, Texas with Pastor Dan Wooldridge officiating. A funeral service at Trinity Baptist Church in Mangum, Oklahoma will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor David Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Brinkman Cemetery in Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in Betty’s honor to: American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org

Arrangements by Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.