Betty Ann Drake

Betty Ann Drake, age 82, of Claremore, Oklahoma, entered heaven on April 19, 2024, with family at her side.

Betty was born on August 3, 1941, to Billy and Mildred Daniel in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. She grew up in the community, working at the local drug store, while attending school. After her graduation from Pauls Valley High School, she married the love of her life Marion Gwen Drake, on October 3, 1959, in Konawa, Oklahoma. Together, they raised two daughters, Tanya and Debra. Throughout the years, Betty led a life that reflected her love for Jesus. She taught Sunday school for many years. She was a devout prayer warrior, that could be counted on to pray faithfully. If you asked her to pray for you or with you, you knew it would be done. She loved being the first face that people saw upon entering the offices and enjoyed getting to know those who came in. Family was important to Betty, and some of her favorite memories were of the times they spent together. Family game nights of Canasta and Chicken Foot were held often. Family holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas were held in her home. A favorite at Christmas, were the green tree cookies that were made every year.  In 2010, she moved to Catoosa to live with Debra and her husband Dean. She faithfully attended Woodcrest Free Will Baptist Church until her health prevented her from getting out of the house. She was on the prayer team for Pastor Roger there and was loved by so many at the church. She is known as mom, granny, and even Miss Betty to many of the members there. She rarely met someone who wasn’t brought into the fold as an “adopted” kid or grandkid. Once you were in her circle of friends, you were family. She was especially honored when her beloved neighbor, David asked her if he could call her mom after his own mom passed away.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Tanya Kinsey and Debra Watson; son, David Hendricks and wife Darla; sister-in-law, Janice Golden and husband Charlie; grandchildren, Christi Stick and husband Rod, Timothy Golden and wife Loretha, Mathew Watson, Amy Kinsey, Dylan Hendricks and wife Carly, Dayton Murrillo and husband Salomon, and Dawson Hendricks and wife Miranda; great-grandchildren, Kylie Watson, Trinity Cain, Maggie Stick, Ashley Stick, Brad Stick, Chris Stick, Caden Watson, Caroline Hendricks, Carter Hendricks, Luke Hendricks, Hartley Hendricks, and Baker Hendricks; niece Tina Cameron and husband David; host of great-nieces and nephews; and so many other friends who were like family to her. She is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Marion Drake; parents Billy and Mildred Daniel; sister Beverly Force; nephew Doug Sheperd; and son-in-law, Dean Watson.

A funeral service for Betty will be held Monday, April 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at Woodcrest Free Will Baptist Church in Catoosa, Oklahoma, with Pastors Roger Ballard and Stephen Nation officiating. Larry Waugh, Corey Wooldridge, Mathew Watson, Dylan Hendricks, Dawson Hendricks and Tony Gray will serve as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers include Butch Boyce, Jim Himebaugh, Denus Benton, Scott Wood, Dwayne Harrell, Mike Wheeler, Shawn Friend, and Kenn Friend. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at McGee Cemetery in Stratford, Oklahoma for those unable to attend services in Catoosa. A night of visitation will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., at Shipman’s Funeral Home in Pryor, Oklahoma. To leave her family a personal message, please visit her guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.