Bette Coughran

Bette Lorene (Harrison) Coughran, age 78, passed away peacefully in her home in Tribbey on Tuesday July 25, 2023.  Bette is survived by her loving husband, Raymond (Ray) Paul Coughran of 62 years. 

Bette was born to Raymond and Lorene (Robertson) Harrison on August 29, 1944 in Konawa, OK. 

In 1958 Bette met Ray at the Midwest City VFW on bingo night, after more bingo nights, meeting the parents, and four years of dating, Bette and Ray were married in May of 1962.  Ray enlisted in the Marines that year and they made their first home in Memphis, TN, eventually moving to Cherry, Pt, NC until Ray was deployed in 1964.

Bette and Ray were blessed in 1966 with the birth of their son Mickey Dale Coughran.  Bette enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and embraced the life of raising an active son and being in charge of managing the homestead.  In 1976, Bette, Ray and Mickey with Ray’s Sister Alice and brother-in-law Bobby Carr, purchased 10 acres in Tribbey, Oklahoma, where they embraced country life; managing a large vegetable garden, canning jam, and raising critters of all  varieties.  Tribbey remained Bette and Ray’s home until her passing.   Bette was very proud of the home and home life that she and Ray had created.

Over the years, and starting at a young age, Bette worked at her parents’ dry cleaners, Harrison Cleaners in Midwest City. She was also employed by United Design in Noble, Oklahoma after her parents retired from the dry-cleaning business.  When Ray retired from General Motors, in 2005, Bette also retired so that they could enjoy retirement together.

Bette enjoyed an active life full of adventure and travel.  Starting in 1985 Bette and Ray enjoyed motorcycle trips (in matching outfits and helmets), biking around the country.  Bette took up water skiing in 1986, snow skiing in 1987 and later enjoyed RV, Jeep, and 4-wheel adventures.  Bette and Ray also took up golf in the early 90s, which brought them 25 years of membership at the Elks lodge in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  Bette met her circle of dear friends at the Elks that she called “sisters”: Gloria, Linda, Billie, Susan, Kim, Yvonne, Poddie and Charlene.  Bette also enjoyed card games, dominoes, wine tasting, margaritas, and laughing with friends and family over the years. Nothing gave Bette more joy than spending time and making memories with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

During the pandemic Bette embraced the digital age and became an active member of Disciples First of Oklahoma City where her brother-in-law, the Reverend Tom Harrison, is an Associate Minister.  Bette made many new friends and enjoyed fellowship through the church.

Bette is predeceased by her father Raymond Harrison, her son Mickey Dale Coughran, and her brother Jerry Harrison.

Bette is survived by her beloved husband Ray, her mother Lorene Harrison, daughter Jennifer Johnson Stenbjorn (Paul), and granddaughter Kaylyn Tucker, grandsons Justin Coughran (Leslie); Blake Coughran; Leland Coughran; great-grandchildren Makayla, Austin, Elijah, and Annistyn Coughran; two sisters, Virginia Callaway (Michael), and Raylene (Tom) Harrison and other extended family and friends. 

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday July 28, 2023, at Cooper Funeral Home, Tecumseh, Oklahoma with interment at the Tribbey Cemetery, Tribbey Oklahoma a reception will follow at the Tribbey Community Center.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations are sent in Bette’s honor to the America Cancer Society.