Betty Sue Clarke

Betty Sue Clarke was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on August 23, 1930. She was the third child of six born to her parents, Lillian and Clayton Cude. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Don and William "Bill", two sisters Marylu Shirey and Barbara Atkinson, and one niece Melissa Cude. She has one living brother, Douglas Cude of Ardmore.

She was also blessed to have ten living nieces and nephews being Rick Shirey of Jacksonville, Oregon, Sheree Burkett of Houston, Texas, William "Billy" Cude of Cobb, California, Wade Cude of Sumas, Washington, Cindy Holdaway of Houston, Texas, Shannon Cude of Florida, Philip Atkinson of Ada, Oklahoma, Brent Atkinson, Jeffrey Atkinson of Ardmore, Oklahoma, and Roger Cude of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which have always been dear to her and Charlie.

Betty graduated from Ardmore High School and attended Oklahoma University, graduating with a Secretarial Science Degree. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Pie Sorority during her time at OU. After attending OU she went to work in Ardmore for Pasotex Petroleum. This company also employed a handsome young man by the name of Charles "Charlie" Clarke, which caught the eye of Betty, and soon became the "love of her life", with them marrying on June 17, 1951. They continued working together for many years which included Charlie's two years in Germany with the Air Force. Her boss as the Assistant Commander of Erding Air Depot managed to keep her Civil Service Rating a step above Charlie's Air Force Rank. They both worked for Exxon in Houston before returning to Ardmore. They celebrated 52 wonderful years together until he passed away in 2003. Charlie was a real good golfer and taught her how to play the game and they actually enjoyed playing golf together.

Betty and Charlie were members of the First Methodist Church, where they both were active in the Emmaus Community. They were also members of the Wesley Sunday School Class.

When Betty celebrated her 95th birthday in 2025 she had many family and friends around her for the celebration. The family would tell you she was "the cutest 95 year old there ever was", still loving her chocolate, and being healthy enough to be independent.

Betty passed from this world on Thursday, November 27th 2025. Her funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Craddock Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery. She can once again be with Charlie and all her family members that have preceded her in death, to be kept in God's loving care, and made new again.

Philip Atkinson, Brent Atkinson, Jeff Atkinson, Roger Cude, William Cude, Dillon Atkinson, Zach Clarke, and Justin Haynes will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials may be sent to the Cude's Clothes Closet at the First Methodist Church of Ardmore.