Betty Jo Foster

Betty Jo Foster, born May 2nd, 1940, in Sayre, Oklahoma, to parents Hugh David Wright and Mary Nina Holder Wright, has gone home to be with the Lord on June 16th, 2025. She led a blessed life, being old and full of days.

Betty was raised in Oklahoma and graduated as a salutatorian from Sayre High School, having previously distinguished herself as the valedictorian of her eighth-grade class at Hext School. She served as co-captain of her high school basketball team, led by coach Jim Keith, and helped organize a memorable game where the girls' team triumphed over the boys' team. “It was rumored” some of the boys shed a tear. Also, the girls picked cotton for two days to raise money for their new basketball uniforms and Coach Keith made the boys help. (Back then the schools didn’t allocate budget to the girls' teams) Later, the Sayre girls basketball team was immortalized in the move, “Believe In Me”, which was adapted from the book “Brief Garland”.

Some of her fondest memories were reminiscing about the unforgettable trips with her friends and parents to see Elvis Presley. On one trip in Wichita Falls, Tx., they spotted his pink Cadillac parked in town. They waited for Elvis to return to his car and got his autograph on the back of their official fan club cards.

Betty married Kenneth Eugene Foster in 1961, and they remained happily married for 56 years until his death. They lived in Eufaula, Oklahoma, where they owned and operated a gas station, and she also worked in a local nursing home. After moving to Texas, she worked at Eckerd Drugs and later retired.

During retirement, Betty discovered a passion for genealogy and became a member of the Sarah Maples Chapter of The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR); a service organization promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism.

A beloved mother and grandmother, Betty is survived by her daughter, Debbie Haley; grandson Bobby Haley and his wife Sara; great-grandchildren Lillian Haley, Ellie Haley and Adaline Haley. She also leaves behind cherished siblings Helen Michel and Jim Wright, along with his wife Jacqui, as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends who will remember her with fondness.

Betty loves God and was an active member of Emory Baptist Church, where her grandson had the privilege of helping perform her baptism. A remarkable individual known for her wit, dry sense of humor and intelligence, Betty was a joy to know and be around. She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to share in her life’s journey, until we see her again in heaven.