Frances Elizabeth Hardin

1922 - 2025

Frances Elizabeth Hardin

May 29, 1922 - August 29, 2025

Born May 29,1922 as Francis Elizabeth Urban in Tulsa, OK, Mrs. Wm. J. Hardin, fondly known as Betty, ascended from the Earth plane on August 29, 2025. She was 103.4. Preceding her in death, her 102 year old husband of 74 years, and her son, Stephen Joseph Hardin, age 68. She leaves daughter, Suzie Hardin Chelsea, grandson, Brian Joseph Hardin, his wife, Marsha, two great grandchildren, Allison and Grayson Hardin of Dallas, Texas, cousins, Rob Sanderson of Skiatook and his extended family, Carol Wentworth and Ann Schmohe of Vinita, OK, Rebecca Lashbrook Tallman of Texas, Joe's nephew Donley Hager and wife Susan, niece Barbara and husband Tom Oakes, and their extended families.

Betty, known for her easy smile, bright blue eyes, style and good manners, elicited joy. Recognized by Folio, Friends of the Library of Oklahoma, for her years of dedication fundraising, hosting "book's sandwiched in" lunch hour book talks and book sales in her hometown, Bartlesville, OK, she also participated in the Women's Golf Club at Hillcrest Country Club, the Alter Guild of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, the Service League, Tulsa Historic Society, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority where she remained an active member. Special interest clubs: Garden, Book, Bridge, Needlepoint and a Dinner Club replaced driving Suzie and cheerleader friends to Wildcats or Cubs sporting events, or transporting Suzie and her horse to English equitation competitions around the state.

During WWII she an Alpha Chi sister volunteered at the Red Cross wrapping bandages, and frequently danced with service men headed to war at the Officer's Club in Tulsa.

Betty attended the original Holland Hall which her grandfather built, graduated from Central High School, attended Stephen's College in Columbia, MO, and Oklahoma University in Norman. She continued learning through classes offered by OSU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Bartlesville after ten years of Internet research, independent reading and correspondence with physicist Ron Kozcor at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. Her frequent, engaging questions proved more complicated than an administrative correspondent could field.

She studied watercolor with globetrotting artist June Pritchard for many years achieving competence. She also took courses at Sotheby's in New York to learn furniture refinishing and brass rubbing prior to a family trip to Europe where she procured permission to produce two pictures from Renaissance brass artifacts on the floor of a cold London church, the morning after a lengthy medieval dinner featuring mead, crocks of red wine and festivity.

Betty and Joe enjoyed travelling to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, France, The Hague, the British Isles, Nova Scotia, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. Her favorite trip transported them through the Panama Canal. For many years they enjoyed several winter months in Sarasota, FL where they enjoyed visits from family and making new friends.

Her joy persists! After awakening her daughter at the time of her transition, she shared a radiant heart-smiling countenance; this song began playing, "Goin' to a Go Go!" Betty maintained her joy even in transitioning!

Memorial service will be graveside at Rosehill Cemetery, 11 a.m. Friday, September 5th. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Bartlesville Public Library, in memoriam of Mrs. Frances E. Hardin, Betty. https://bartlesvillelibrary.com/about/donate-online/.