Betty Jean Ward

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 17 after a viewing held that morning at 10 a.m. at Sevier Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.

Betty Jean Ward was born October 18, 1944, in Chickasha, the daughter of Otis Melvin Yates and Leola Bell Clutts. She died from complications of cancer on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Jean was fond of travel. She visited nearly every state in the contiguous 48 of the United States. Her husband, James Henry Ward, known as Jimmy, preceded her in death in November 1971. She traveled with her children after his death.

Her recent passion was learning about her family connections on Ancestry.com, where she traced her ancestors back to 599 BC. Her famous relatives include George Washington, Pretty Boy Floyd, Jesse James, Sidney Lanier, the Wright Brothers, Ragnar the Viking, and Charlemagne.

She loved taking care of her dog Spartacus, and reading books of every kind, but especially about her Scottish, Irish and German heritage.

Jean was also preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother William Valliant, her brother Kenneth Yates, her sister Doris Sowell, her brother Jerry Yates, her great Aunt Vera Malone and great Uncle John Malone, and all her grandparents. Survivors include her sister June Yates, her sister Melba Farmer, her brother Terry Yates, her daughters Kimberly Tiano and husband Guy, Sherry Brewer and husband Lloyd; her sons Devery Hogue, James Ward Jr., Terry Ward; along with 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.