Betty Lou Wood

Betty Lou Wood, 89, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024 in Seminole, Oklahoma.

She was born July 8, 1934 to Roy A and Corda (Everett) Hanks Stratford, Oklahoma.

Betty was raised in Stratford and attended Corley and Stratford Public Schools.  She graduated with the class of 1952 from Stratford High School.   Betty graduated from East Central College in 1956 and earned her bachelor's degree in education.

She married Billy Joe Wood on September 24, 1954 in Stratford, Oklahoma.  He preceded her in death on January 25, 2006.

Bill and Betty moved to Tecumseh in 1963 to raise their family.  Betty began her teaching career in 1970.  She taught 4th and 6th grade at Tecumseh Schools for 22 years until her retirement in 1992.

She was a member of First Baptist Church in Tecumseh and a member of  NEA, OEA, Tecumseh Garden Club and Tecumseh Housing Authority.

Betty enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids and great-grandkids, teaching, gardening and attending Tecumseh Senior Citizen Center.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Wood; father, Roy Hanks; mother, Corda Hanks Murray; stepfather, Chock Murray; brother, Edgar Hanks; son-in-law, David Wilson; brother-in-law, Jack Kendall; and best friend, Loretta Lovelace.

Those left to cherish her memory are her 4 daughters and 3 sons-in-law, Belinda Wood McCollough and husband Vern of Tulsa, OK, Rebecca Wood Steward and husband Loyd of Bethel Acres, OK, Brenda Wood of Norman, OK and Danna Wood Higdon and husband Matt of Tecumseh, OK; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Steven Wood and wife Karen of Tecumseh, OK; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, Kevin and Kelly O’Brien, Quinn and Everly; Erin O’Brien; Jon Daniel and Glenna Steward, Corley, Lara and Jack; Jennifer and Rusty Lynch,  Ramzie and Gavin; David and Tara Jones, Greyson and Dani; Andrea and Keith Royalty, Claire; Staci and Mike Buck, Kylee; Brian and Casey Chaffin, Shelby, Abigail, Landree; Tara Wood Terry, Leighton, Kinley; Amy Higdon, Emily Higdon and Matt Dillon Higdon; sister, DeLoris Hanks Kendall of Tulsa, OK; and many other extended family and friends.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024 and continue through service time, with family gathering from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to greet friends and family at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Danny Napier, Rock Creek Baptist Church officiating.  Please join the celebration of Betty L. Wood's life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.  Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.