Betty Ellen Vick

Mom always said that she wanted her funeral to be a celebration. So, Mom, this story is to celebrate you. On July 31, 1939, in the middle of the night, a baby girl was welcomed into the World at home in Mulhall, Oklahoma. Ready to meet Betty Ellen Ritter were her parents, the late Charlie and Alice Ritter, her late Aunt Carmen and the doctor. It was a two-room house. Mom was named after a cousin, Betsy, and another cousin named Elizabeth. Mom has one older brother, Charles Ritter, and a younger sister, the late Norma Jean Faubush. Mom said that she had health concerns, as a child, because she was such a tiny baby. She had Pneumonia and then Whooping Cough. Her Grandpa Davis held Mom on his lap when she was ill. He caught the Whooping Cough from her. Later, a larger two-story house was built. That house was destroyed in the May 3rd tornado. It had a dugout cellar that had large red dirt blocks, made by her dad, for the walls. It held jars of home canned foods from the large garden. The chickens provided eggs and meals for us for Sunday dinners. As a child, Mom had dolls to play with that came from Santa Claus. She took the arms and legs off – one at a time – to dress them. Among other items, Mom treasured a turquoise bracelet that was given to her by her mother, then Mom and then me. Mom and friends played "Ring Around the Rosie", marbles and jacks. She also rode her tricycle. She got a bicycle when she was older. She played the games that her Daddy taught her. He also taught Mom how to shoot squirrels! She had a red wagon that Uncle Charles and Aunt Jean pulled her around in. Mom and Aunt Jean shared a room. They'd often climb out their bedroom window to sit on the roof during the night – without their parents' knowledge. Mom's family was poor but was rich in love. Many of her clothes were made of flour sacks with patterns on them. Mom said that they felt really "itchy"! Dad wrote on Mom's genealogy page, "Our parents were friends when Betty and I were born. We would play together in the Farmer's Grocery Store in Mulhall, Oklahoma as children. Therefore, we have known each other all of our lives.". At Mulhall High School, Mom played on the Varsity basket ball team while also being the basketball manager of the girls' team. Mom reunited with the true love of her life, Donald Vick, their junior year of high school. They graduated in 1957. They were married in the West Side United Methodist Church in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on November 1, 1958. They were the fourth generation of family members to be married in Logan County. They lived out their marriage vows each day of their lives and adored each other. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Oklahoma City. They were frugal and ate a LOT of Bologna sandwiches when just starting out. Later, Mom and Dad moved to Del City. They've been residents here since 1960. They lived on Elm Drive. I was born in 1963. Mom was a fan of Elvis. She was proud to say that I was born on his birthday! We lived on Vick Circle for about fifteen years. Dee Don was born on March 30, 1970. He and I grew up there. The family then moved to their current house on Gina Circle. Mom enjoyed being a homemaker. She kept an immaculate house! She sang while she cooked, did housework, and while riding in the car. She was a member of Highland Park's PTA and helped with the girl scout troop there. Among other activities, Mom was the family's Head Crew Chief for twenty-five years for our family survey crew. Her favorite singing group was The Oak Ridge Boys. She had a beautiful Soprano voice. Mom always packed us a lunch for school. It was either leftovers or her famous Fried Bologna sandwiches, complete with splits around the edges, so it wouldn't curl up. She always had dinner ready at 5:30 PM whenever Dad got home from work. Mom can be described like the woman in Proverbs 31: 10-12, 17, 25-31 – "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Mom was at home when she went Home to be with Jesus in the early morning hours of June 21, 2025. Dad was Mom's main caretaker the last several years of her life. She was surrounded by family who watched her pass peacefully. Mom and Dad were high school sweethearts, best friends, and truly devoted to each other. They were married sixty-six years, seven months, and twenty days. Mom was eighty-five years, ten months, and twenty-one days old. Mom is survived by her husband, Don, of the home; her daughter, Charlotte (Hank) Cranfill; her daughter-in-law, Tammy Vick and granddaughter, Ellen Vick. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Ritter of Moore. She leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. A special thanks to Jill Keeney for her friendship and for the care she provided for Mom and Dad the last eight years. She has become a part of our family. Also, thank you to Elara Hospice for caring for Mom since February – especially Kennedy and Jada. This chapter of Mom's life is finished but her book isn't finished yet. By God's Resurrection promise for Believers, we know we'll see her again. So, it's not "Goodbye, Mom," it's "We'll see you later someday.".