Betty Lou Gilliland

Betty Lou Gilliland was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 26, 2025. While
we miss her dearly, we look forward to the day we will see her again, happy, healthy, and
ornery as ever. Words are inadequate to describe the fullness of love she has for Jesus, her
family, friends, and even if you have never met her, her love for you. She has touched so
many lives with her kindness, grace, and the unexpected "wet willie" to make sure this
temporary life is not taken too seriously.
Betty was born in Dallas, Texas to a family that can only be described as "too nice to be
trusted". Betty was surrounded by warmth, laughter, and the Lord, which helped blossom
her lifelong passion for serving others. Family gatherings were always filled with prayer,
storytelling, hard work, and the kind of joy that can only come from the Grace of God.
Even as a child, it was clear that Betty was destined to leave her mark. From ruining all her
britches from a self-made slide to daring her best friend to jump out of a barn with an
umbrella while playing Mary Poppins. She was the perfect candidate to be the Junior Class
President at Putnam City High School and the Pledge Mistress of the Princess Pirates Pep
Club in charge of all sorts of fun initiation challenges.
Betty's true passion was to help others. Whether teaching Sunday School to those referred
to by others as the "terrible twos", comforting the sick, serving a meal, babysitting, sewing,
providing a place to live, giving a ride or just a simple prayer, she was always there for those
in need with an infectious smile and sense of humor that filled all with laughter and joy.
In May of 1958, Betty met her match – the one she could be a helpmate to, who made her
laugh and maybe shake her head now and then. She immediately proposed to him and
married Mickey Gilliland 10 months later. Over the next 66 years, they served together and
shared their love for each other and for the Lord to whomever they could.
Betty is survived by her husband, Mickey Gilliland, and their children, Jeanna Mitchell (and
husband Terry), Michael Gilliland, Sandra Lovelace (and husband Keith), Philip Gilliland
(and wife Stephanie) and Mike Hinson (and wife Julie). She was the proud grandmother to:
Alana Ouazzani, David Stoldt, Apryl Stoldt, Ashley Cook, Tyler Gilliland, Justin Gilliland,
Mitch Lovelace, Cole Gilliland, Ally Lovelace, William Gilliland, Isabella Dowdy and Tessa
Gilliland, and great grandmother to: Kaylyn Gilliland, Brooklyn Cook, Delilah Gilliland, Noah
Stoldt, Isaac Stoldt, Emma Gilliland, Aubry Gilliland, Elizabeth Gilliland and Sadie Gilliland.
She loves them all, is watching over them, and can't wait to share and laugh with them
again. She was preceded in death by her parents, Noble and Geneva Cotham, and her
brother, Jim Cotham, and is survived by her sister, Peggy Christianus.
For 26+ years as the Sunday School teacher of the two-year-olds, she was known as "Mrs.
Betty" (because it was just cruel to make a two-year-old try to say Gilliland) and/or "the
Froot Loop Lady" as she shared Froot Loops cereal with her kids to keep their attention on
the Lord. Later when asked if she really did it to jack up a bunch of toddlers on sugar for
their parents to deal with in church services, she just gave a crooked smile, shrugged, and
said "NO, but it is funny".
Because of Betty's endless love for the Lord and willingness to do what needs to be done,
thousands of souls have known true love, friendship and grace.
Though our hearts are heavy with grief, we choose to remember the laughter, the love, and
the countless memories shared. In the quiet moments and in the stories recounted by
friends and family, the legacy of a life well-lived endures.
Let us honor this extraordinary person by striving to embody the qualities she exemplified:
kindness, generosity, resilience, and love. As we gather to remember and to celebrate, may
we find comfort in one another and in the knowledge that their spirit continues to live on in
the lives she touched.
Betty's family will gather for an intimate celebration of her life at Bethany Church of Christ.
We extend our thanks to all staff at Warr Acres Nursing Center and Cura Hospice for their
loving and exemplary care. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation In Memory of Betty
Gilliland to Warr Acres Nursing Center, 6501 N. MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73132.
Please be advised that the facility is a for-profit business therefore, donations are not tax
deductible. Feel free to contact Sandra Lovelace at sandragsmail@gmail.com if you have
any questions.
A memorial marker will be placed to honor Betty's life and legacy at Chapel Hill Memorial
Gardens in OKC, OK.
With deepest sympathy and enduring love, we say goodbye, grateful for the time we shared
and for the lasting imprint left upon our hearts.