Betty "Pinkie" Harkness Born

Betty Harkness Born passed away on January 18th in Tulsa at the age of 98.

Betty was born on March 16, 1927 in East Orange, NJ to James and Priscilla Harkness. The family moved to Tulsa when Betty was five. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1944, and attended the University of Tulsa where she became a lifelong active member of Phi Mu Fraternity.

In 1948 Betty married John Born, her husband of 66 years. They became longtime members of John Knox Presbyterian Church and were both active in Scouting. Betty served as Den Mother for all four of her sons in Cub Scout Pack 66. She was also active in Cub Scout leader training and in 1971 was awarded the Silver Fawn Award for outstanding service.

Along with Phi Mu, she was active in her garden club, the D.A.R. and enjoyed pursuing her genealogy hobby. Betty and John enjoyed frequent trips fishing and camping with their camping trailer.

Betty is predeceased by her husband John and her son Bob. She is survived by three sons, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her son Charles and wife Kay live in Bryan, Texas. Their son Christopher has two children: Cameron and Carley. Son Larry and his wife Nancy live in Tulsa. They have three children: Chuck, Grace and Hank. Betty's son David and wife Fara live in Woodlawn, Virginia. Their children are Spencer and Savannah.

A graveside service will be 2:30PM, Friday, January 30, 2026 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5111 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The family request in lieu of flowers that donations be made to either the Indian Nations Council of Boy Scouts or John Knox Presbyterian Church