Betty "BJ" Sanford

Betty "BJ" Sanford, age 90, wants you to know that she is "still vertical" only now with Jesus face-to-face. Her daughters were with her in Wichita Falls TX when she let go of their hands and took the hand of Jesus on November 13, 2025.

BJ was born in rural Oklahoma to Bessie and Ernest Zenker and graduated from Ada High School. Her brothers, Richard, Robert, and Ernest Jr., and the love of her life, L. E. Sanford Jr. left this earth before her, along with nieces and a nephew. BJ and Jr. were active in business pursuits in Ada and enjoyed traveling together. They were devoted to each other during their 32-years of marriage.

Survivors include her daughter, Kathy Ramsey, who carries along her sense of humor and love for reading along with husband Rick, of Nocona TX, her daughter, Vicky Payne and husband Rod, of Wichita Falls TX, son, David Koontz and wife Tina, of Jasper, Georgia. Her niece, Linda Zenker Drumm and husband Dee, of Norman OK, and nephew, David Mike Zenker and wife Becky, of Flower Mound, TX, both of who were like a daughter and son to her.

BJ's gift of service may have been used to serve you, your parents or grandparents, coffee and a sandwich at Bryan's Corner Drug back in the day, or helped you buy or sell a home in Ada. You might have been the one who tried to rob BJ's Quick Stop on her watch but she laughed and told you to "Get in line" and you left empty-handed. She may have studied God's word with you at a friend's home, at First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls or watched it with you on TV. It's possible that she helped you at Braum's in Wichita Falls TX way past retirement age. She might have brought a smile to your face as she scooted through Brookdale Sikes Lake where she made many friends.

If you ever chatted with BJ in a voting line, you learned that she took elections and meaningful conversation seriously. She loved this country and believed every citizen could help steer its course. She was thankful to be born in America, as the daughter of an immigrant from Europe and proud that he became an American citizen. She was also proud of her family's military service -her husband Jr's service (USAF and U.S. Army), service by her brothers Bob (U.S. Army), Ernest (Air National Guard, USN, and USMC), her daughter Kathy and son David (USN), nephew Mike and grand Brian (USMC), niece and nephew Judy and Pete (USAF), as well as great-grands, and many nieces and nephews. What a great legacy from the Zenker clan. She stated to a family member: "WWII affected everyone in the country. I was six-years-old when it started and ten- years-old when it ended. It was a time for every American citizen to do what they could to help the needs of the country." And that was BJ-ready to pitch in when needed.

The Lord blessed her with 7 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren: Brian Gilson and greats, Jacob and Laura; Leslie Gilson; Brandon Payne and greats, David and Daniel; Sharon DiBiase and greats, Brenden and Leo; Elizabeth Carson and greats, Jayden, Zoey, and Remidy; Sabrina Smith and greats, Reighyn and Christopher; Samantha Allen and greats, Noah, Ezra, Penny, Audra, Selah, and Hazel; Daniel Koontz and greats, Joanna and Owen; and Jacob Koontz, along with her sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

You are invited to a Celebration of BJ's Life on Wednesday, November 19 at 2:00 pm at Brookdale Sikes Lake, 2649 Plaza Pkwy, Wichita Falls TX. On Thursday, November 20 graveside services will be at Rosedale Cemetery, Ada, OK at 1:30 pm with the assistance of Criswell Funeral Home. Her son-in-law, Rod Payne, will officiate both services.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to all of the caring staff at Brookdale Sikes Lake. They made it possible for her to enjoy her past four years of life with as much independence as possible. BJ's family is very much thankful for the family of faith at First Baptist Church West Campus who welcomed her with open arms when she moved to Wichita Falls many years ago and for the dear friends she made there. We are so blessed that so many extended family members were able to visit with BJ this past year.

We are grateful for your prayers throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, BJ requested memorials be made to Christian Family Network Television (https://www.cfnt.org/), P O Box 442, Wichita Falls TX 76307, Southern Grit Advocacy, ( https://southerngritadvocacy.org/) P O Box 4827, Wichita Falls TX 76308, or the charity of your choice.