Betty Jo Stokes

Betty Stokes left this earth for a better place to be with her cherished friend, Jesus on August 26, 2026. She grew up in a small town in Kansas and moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma, in 1971, where she raised her three beloved children: Brian, Heather and the late Brent Stokes.

Betty leaves behind a lifetime filled with precious memories, love, laughter, and the warmth of family and friends. Those who knew her will forever carry her spirit in their hearts and remember the significant impact she had on their lives. Betty’s life centered around her faith, her service, her nursing and her family and friendships. She loved deeply, forgave freely, and gave generously, always putting others before herself.

Betty chose nursing as her career because she had a passion for helping others. She possessed an extraordinary ability to bring peace with her calming nature, healing touch and comforting words. She had an acute love for geriatrics and was instrumental with patient care and family support as a Nurse and Assistant Director of Nursing. Even after she retired, she continued on as the “family and friends” nurse her whole life.

Betty’s love for the Lord was at the heart of who she was and all that she did. Betty was a dedicated member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Midwest City, Oklahoma. In addition to church membership, Betty served in Stephen Ministry for 20 years, a group supporting people with the hardships of life. In 2014, Betty began her formation as a member of the Carmelite Secular Community, Catholics dedicated to the Carmelite order seeking the face of God and a life of deep prayer, silence, and service. Also, throughout Betty’s life, she was dedicated to routine prayer adoration, visits at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and held rosary, bible study and Lectio Divinas in her home. Serving God was her highest priority and greatest honor. She had a deep love for learning and was especially interested in the history of the Church.

Betty was preceded by her parents, Lawrence and Loretta Henke; her beloved son, Brent Stokes; her sisters, Rosemary and Janice; and her brothers, John and Bernerd.

Betty leaves behind a family who will forever cherish and miss her dearly: her daughter, Heather Stokes and future son-in-law, Jason Thompson; her son Brian Stokes and daughter-in-law Teresa Stokes and children; her granddaughter Jaden; her sisters, Dorothy Heatwole and Leona Clavette; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Betty shared a special bond with her daughter’s childhood friend, Rachel Purgason, and Rachel's daughter, Kala.

Betty loved Rachel as if she were her own daughter and considered Kala to be her granddaughter. Betty was affectionately known as "Ga-Ga Betty" to Kala. Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that Betty has been made whole and is now in the presence of her savior, Jesus Christ. Her legacy is defined by the faith she generously shared, the family she cherished, and the friends she loved. Betty touched countless lives with her unwavering faith, quiet strength, gentle demeanor, compassionate spirit, sense of humor, beautiful smile, infectious laughter, and boundless love.

ROSARY and VIEWING:

Sept. 2, 2026, from 4pm to 8pm

Rosary will be from 6-6:30 pm. Viewing will be paused during rosary.

Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home – Chapel

8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141

FUNERAL MASS:

Sept. 3, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church located at 1107 Felix Place, Midwest City, OK 73110

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Suncrest Hospice for the compassion, kindness, and support they provided Betty.

Visitation will be held at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 8805 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73141, US, on September 2, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 pm, with additional visitation the same evening from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will take place at St Philip Neri Catholic Church midwest city, 1107 Felix Pl, Midwest City, OK 73110, US, on September 3, 2026, at 10:00 am, with Burial at Arlington Memorial Gardens, 3400 North Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 731419699, US, on September 3, 2026.