Betty B. Schrum

TULSA, Okla. - Betty Blackwell Schrum, 86, quietly departed this life Oct. 2, 2010, at Montereau Retirement Center, Tulsa, Okla. She was the daughter of the late Emma and Lewis Blackwell of Houston, Texas. She was also predeceased by her brother, Lewis "Bubba" Blackwell Jr. A Houston, Texas, native, she attended San Jacinto High School, business school and the University of Houston. She interrupted her studies after falling in love with, and marrying Dr. David Schrum in 1946. Together, they reared four daughters, Mary Ann, Nancy, Susan and Amy, before leaving Houston for Tulsa in 1979. With her loving spirit, sparkling personality, zest for life and organizational ability, she was actively involved in charitable groups such as the Houston Junior Forum, Houston Garden Club and Poco Dinero, as well as numerous church activities. Following breast cancer surgery, she became an enthusiastic member of "Reach to Recovery," and was a blessing and inspiration to countless women whose lives had been affected by breast cancer. Anyone in her presence could not help but feel special due to her sparkling eyes, enthusiasm and genuine love of people. She was a wonderful hostess and loved to entertain guests in her home with fantastic food and warm hospitality. Betty possessed many practical abilities. She could do electrical, plumbing, carpentry and many crafts. She even converted an electric barbeque grill to gas. She was a good fisherman, an avid gardener and cook. Betty made countless batches of fig, pear and strawberry preserves. Her apple butter was unbelievably good. She relished all the adventures of travel including a memorable mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Betty and her husband of 64 years, David, were world travelers. A quote from Helen Keller, "If you keep your face to the sun, you cannot see the shadows" truly describes her faith and attitude toward life and its challenges. She leaves behind her husband, David Schrum, M.D.; and four daughters, Mary Ann Blackwell of Emeryville, Calif., Nancy (Gary) Riggs of Holden, Mass., Susan Marshall of Houston, Texas, and Amy (Mike) Fouke of Tulsa. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Elisabeth Zahl of Albuquerque, N.M., Sarah (Jim) Riggs Stapleton of Highland Park, N.J., Josh Albright of Tulsa, Okla., and Stephen Marshall of Virginia Beach, Va. She is also survived by two stepgrandchildren, Erin (Peter) Stabnick of Tulsa, Okla., and Kristen Fouke of Tulsa, Okla.; and two great-grandsons, Isaac Garcia and Brice Stabnick of Tulsa, whom she adored. She enjoyed life at Montereau where she enjoyed her new friends and was a friend and inspiration to all who knew her, living life to the fullest with the enthusiasm, love, and grace which was Betty Schrum. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at First United Methodist Church, 1115 S. Boulder, Tulsa, Okla. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church. www.stanleysfuneralhome.com Stanleys (918) 743-6271.