Betty Lou Ashworth
1930-2023
Betty Lou Ashworth (nee' Branham) graduated from this World on Sunday, May 7 th , 2023, at approximately 7:50 a.m. Thankfully she was not alone, her dear friend of many years, Ellen, and her private CNA, Lori, were in attendance.
Betty Lou was born in Tulsa on March 22, 1930, just a few months after the onset of the Great Depression. Mother was one of four daughters of Joe and Blanche Branham. Growing up, Betty Lou became an accomplished western style rider of horses. She attended Camp Chely in Colorado several summers and climbed many of the surrounding peaks including Longs Peak-a fourteener. Ultimately Mom attended the old Central High School in Tulsa. As a fighting '49er, she graduated in 1949 and was blessed with several friends who all remained close for over fifty (50) years. Thereafter, Betty Lou attended Stephens College in Missouri and received an Associate's Degree.
Betty Lou started at Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State. It was during this time she met her one and only love, Ray Ashworth. Ray was in the Air Force. The two married on December 23, 1952, and remained husband and wife for 57 years before Ray passed in 2009.
Betty Lou went to Illinois and Altus with Ray to his Air Force postings. During this phase she worked as a secretary. The family moved to Tulsa after Ray's initial tour was over. Ray opened a successful business supply and both Betty Lou and Ray dedicated themselves to community service.
On May 22, 1956, the Ashworth lives were forever changed by the birth of Gregory Branham Ashworth. Greg was born with down syndrome. "Experts" said Greg should be institutionalized. Betty Lou and Ray politely told the "experts", in the 1950's parlance, "to stick it."
Ray immediately sold his business and, with no formal training, went to work for the Department of Welfare, now the Department of Human Services ("DHS").
Betty Lou and Ray formed a team. Betty Lou focused on community based non-profit development of services while Ray, who did so as well, went about creating what became the Disability Services Division of DHS which now helps thousands of special "kids" in Oklahoma.
Two years later, son Michael was born. A few years after that, Baby Catherine was born but she passed at an early age from complications of Tay Sachs disease.
Ray commuted twice a week to the State Capitol while maintaining the family home in Tulsa. Betty Lou dedicated herself to special schools and programs for Greg. In 1968, the Ashworth's attended the first EVER special Olympics at Soldier's field in Chicago. It was a life-changing event as well. Greg was an original team member. Betty Lou and Ray were instrumental in creating and growing the Special Olympics of Oklahoma with the help of many friends. Greg participated proudly for more than 50 years at local, state, regional, national and world games. Greg was named Special Olympian of the year by Governor Keating in 1995. When Greg retired, just before Covid, he was honored by the Oklahoma State House of Representatives with a unanimous special commendation. Mom was very proud. It is believed that Greg, thanks to Betty Lou and Ray, is the oldest living original Special Olympian left in the world.
When Michael left for college in 1976, the Ashworth's moved the family home to Edmond. When they arrived, they immediately infused themselves into the emerging DDSD community. Betty Lou and Ray were among the founders of the Meadows Center for Opportunity where Greg worked for 37 years. They also helped create EARC, who now provides loving care and a home environment for Greg, and many like him. Greg being at EARC gave Betty Lou great comfort.
Betty Lou's favorite things were baking, candy making, making salsas and cooking, all of which she won many awards and medals for at the Tulsa and Oklahoma State Fairs. She also loved Special Olympics and The Meadows Center for Opportunity. Betty Lou was a supporter of Free to Live Animal Shelter in Edmond. Her recipes are legendary and much sought after.
But as for tangible items, Mom loved antiques and her huge collection of Irish Belleek. Many a weekend the Ashworth's were at an antique shows throughout the region before the move from Tulsa,
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Blanche Branham, her sisters Catherine, Margaret and JoEllen, her child Baby Catherine, and her loving husband Ray. She is survived by her sons, Greg and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations to any of the following will be appreciated; Special Olympics Oklahoma, The Meadows in Edmond, EARC in Edmond or Free to Live in Edmond.
A graveside service will be held Monday, May 15, 2023, at 11, at Memorial Park. Betty Lou would prefer no cut flowers….
She will be missed but very much remembered.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on 'Videos', then 'Live Streams'.