Betty Lee Groom

Betty Lee Groom of Norman, OK passed away peacefully with family members at her side on Sunday morning, August 19, 2018 at Norman Regional Hospital after years of declining health. She was 95.

Betty was born in South Coffeyville, OK on December 30, 1922 to Charles McCabe and Glenn (Hill) McCabe. She grew up in South Coffeyville and graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville, KS in May of 1941. Betty later attended Northeastern State College at Tahlequah to study Interior Design. Betty married US Army Air Corps pilot Robert Clarke Groom on May 16th,1944, and their marriage produced one child, daughter Diane Dean.

During her career, Betty worked as a grocery store manager, an office manager at Earth Scientists oil exploration company, and as the volunteer coordinator for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Norman. She also served several terms on the South Coffeyville City Council. After retirement Betty served with devotion as a volunteer at Norman Regional Hospital.

In 1998 Betty left South Coffeyville and moved to Norman to live with her immediate family. On March 1, 2018 she was admitted as a patient to Grace Living Center in Norman, where she was ably and lovingly cared for until August 15, 2018.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; aunts Madgie and Pat; uncle Wick; and cousins Wesley and Tony Karns. She is survived by her daughter Diane Groom Murphree and son-in-law Jim of Norman; granddaughter Shannon of Los Angeles, CA; grandson Dylan of Norman; and great-granddaughters Cassidy and Alyson.

Betty enjoyed watching old westerns, Turner Classic Movies, Jeopardy, playing card games with her grandson, cooking, playing golf, bowling, horseback riding, reading historical novels, and travelling; her favorite trip was to New Zealand in 1975. She also loved her platform shoes, feeding the dogs at meal time, walking her laps in the front circle driveway, chatting on the phone with Sylvia or Sandy, Braum's ice cream, keeping her South Coffeyville homes immaculate, Barry Switzer’s and Billy Tubbs’ Sooners, weekends at the lake in her early years, and pancakes and coffee in her final days. She was most proud and robust when telling the world of the accomplishments of beloved daughter Diane and especially her grandchildren Shannon and Dylan.

Betty was known for her quick laugh and good humor, her tender heart, and her forgiving spirit. She made friends easily and was loved by all who knew her.

A memorial service is scheduled on Betty's birthday, December 30, 2018, at 2:00pm in the funeral home's downstairs event center.