Dr. Betty Jean “Jeane” Dedrick, a longtime resident of Edmond, Oklahoma, was born on July 26, 1930. Jeane joyfully danced into her Heavenly Fathers arms on February 11, 2020. She was born to R.F. and Mary (Darby) McClung and the family moved to Edmond in 1936. Jeane attended Lowell grade school, Edmond Jr. High and High School, and Central State High School. She was a first team basketball player at Central State High School where she lettered in the sport.
Jeane received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Central State University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. Jeane taught in the Oklahoma City Public School system for ten years before she entered higher education. She then became a fully ranked and tenured professor for seventeen years at what is now Southern Nazarene University. She served on both undergraduate and graduate faculties in the Department of Psychology. Jeane also was a professor at Rose State College, Southwestern Christian University, and DeMarge College (Medical Division). Jeane was also a counselor at several churches, served on the staff at St. Marks United Methodist Church, and maintained a private counseling service.
Her professional memberships included the American Psychological Association (full member), Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Lambda Delta (sponsor), Delta Kappa Gamma (president), Oklahoma Dental Auxiliary (president), Christian Association for Psychological Studies (secretary), and Edmond Kiwanis.
Jeane co-authored and published several books. She was the author of many articles and was a seminar speaker. Jeane’s hobbies were flower gardening, sports, ballroom dancing and teaching. She was a classical pianist in her early years and performed in concert, as well as at social events, weddings, and church. Opera was a favorite event as well as other classical concerts. Jeane was in several movies in non-speaking roles. Football was a passion, holding season tickets to the University of Oklahoma for about 60 years.
Jeane had beautiful marriages that were happy and complete. She was married to John Edward Graham and they had one son, John Graham, III. After his death, she married Dr. Wm. J. Carter. A few years from his death, she married Kenneth S. Dedrick, her lifelong friend and high school classmate.
Church was a vital part of her life and she loved the many activities and friends she had there. She had a very special love and respect for the ministers and their families. She is a present member of Edmond First Church of the Nazarene, where she grew up. She was a former member of Acts II United Methodist Church, Edmond First United Methodist Church, and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
Jeane was preceded in death by her husbands, John Edward Graham; Dr. William J. Carter; and Kenneth S. Dedrick; and her loving brother Clifford McClung. She is survived by her beloved son, John Graham, III; grandchildren, Kimberley Graham, John Wm. Graham and wife Emily, and David Graham and wife Jamie; six great-grandchildren, Ethan Graham, Aaron Graham, Judson Graham, Ashlynn Graham, Cora June Graham, and Molly May Graham.
Jeane’s most important goal was to serve God and to love her son, children, and grandchildren dearly. They were a great joy, and wonderful part of what she felt had been a fantastic and God blessed life. Her friends were gracious and helpful, complimenting another part of her life.
Jeane loved life – and to her, death is the final stage of growth into “Forever Happiness” where she will someday welcome her beautiful family and friends as they all love God!
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18