Betty Lou Riley

Funeral services for Betty Lou (Miller) Riley, an Olney resident, were held at 2:00 Monday, August 7, 2023 at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate with Pastor David Unsell officiating, assisted by Bro. Duane Riley. Interment was in Moore Cemetery in Clarita, OK with Brown’s Funeral Service in charge of arrangements.

Betty Lou (Miller) Riley lived near Olney, Oklahoma, not far from where she was born in Coal County. She was born on March 24, 1935, to Roy and Alice (Citron) Miller. Betty passed away on August 3, 2023, in Oklahoma City at the age of 88.

She attended school in Bethel Community near Coalgate through the eighth grade, attended Coalgate High School for one year, and finished high School in Olney where she was an outstanding softball player and met her future husband, O.N. Betty attended East Central University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree and Master of Education.

After graduation, Betty married O.N. on December 17, 1955. They celebrated 67 years together last year.

Betty began her teaching career at Burbank, Oklahoma, where she taught Business and Home Economics from 1955 to 1961. Both of Betty’s children, Mike and Lisa, were born during her time there. Betty taught at Olney High School from 1963 to 1969, and finished her teaching career at Coalgate where she taught both Elementary and High School. She received the honor of being named Teacher of the Year in 1988. Betty stayed busy after retirement. She was a member of the Coal County Genealogical Society where she helped edit the 2nd Coal County History book. She was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital in Ada until she accepted a position at East Central teaching water aerobics; her last job, and one she dearly loved. In her later years, Betty was an avid quilter and gardener.

Survivors include her husband, O. N. Riley; son, Michael Riley; daughter, Lisa Riley Childress; grandchildren, Serena Childress, Alice Riley, Betsy Riley and Carly Riley; great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Owen, Leon, Fiona, Leif, Cecil and Laine; special friends, Margaret Nelson, Judy Wilson, Kay Jackson, Naudrea Edwards, Twyla Collins, Donna James, Brenda Hickman, Debbie Taylor, Bessie and Harriet (Burbank friends), Mary James and Sally Riley; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many dearly loved friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Miller; mother, Alice (Citron) Miller; and brothers, Raymond, Edward and Roy Miller.

Casketbearers were David Miller, Roy Allen Miller, Jeff Miller, David Scott, Randy Nelson and Harold Mathis. Honorary casketbearers were Howard Nelson, Pee Wee Bowerman, Hardy Taylor, Kenny Pebworth, T.D. Teal, Jeff Winan, Steve Scott, David Brown, Jim Riley and Andy Morrison.

Condolences may be sent to the family by email to: brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal. net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correpondence.