Betty Jo Mitchell

Betty Jo (Dugger) Mitchell, 95, was born on August 25, 1930, to Clarence and Retta Lea (Diel) Dugger in Blanchard, Oklahoma. She passed away on November 11, 2025. Betty grew up in Blanchard and married the love of her life, Vernon “Red” Dale Mitchell, on May 29, 1948, in their hometown. Soon after, they moved to Oakland, California, where Betty worked for a short time at Montgomery Ward before returning to Blanchard to raise their three boys. Betty went on to work more than 20 years with the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City before retiring.

Together, Vernon and Betty built a life rooted in hard work and community. They bought a farm on the southeast corner of Blanchard, where they established East Park Village Mobile Home Park and operated The Handy Shop, a local convenience store and restaurant.

Faith was the foundation of Betty’s life. She and Vernon were lifelong members of the Blanchard Methodist Church. She found joy in tending her vegetable garden, fishing and camping along the Blue River in Tishomingo and in the Arbuckles, and cheering on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at countless ball games. Betty shared an unbreakable bond with her two dearest friends, Phyllis Wilson and Coetta Beckham.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant sister Wilma Dugger; and siblings Wesley Dugger, Weldon Dugger, Troy Dugger, Clara Saylors, and June Chapman.

Survivors include her children Gary and wife, Debbie, Daryl, and Brent Mitchell, all of Blanchard. They had six grandchildren: Amy Mitchell Sparks and husband David, Michael Mitchell and wife Kristi, Steven Mitchell and wife Laura, Chad Mitchell, Haley Mitchell Eades and husband Michael, and Nathan Mitchell and wife Kambry. They had eight great-grandchildren: Reese, Rhyan (Skeeta), Ava, Clay, Silas, Paisley, Cashe, and Jagger, all of whom she loved dearly.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel in Blanchard with an interment to follow at Blanchard Cemetery. Visitation for friends and family will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.