Betty Jo Patterson was born November 4, 1931, in Stilwell, Oklahoma, to James A. and Pearl W. Patterson. She departed this life on December 13, 2023. Betty attended school in the Horn Community of Stilwell and at Stilwell High School. She met the love of her life, Melvin Thurber, while in high school and was married June 20, 1948. Melvin and Betty moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma immediately after their marriage and never lived anywhere else. To this union was born one son, Michael Ray Thurber, on June 23, 1951. Betty and Melvin were married nearly 64 years when Melvin passed away in May of 2012.

Betty earned her Oklahoma Beautician License in 1953 and spent 70 years serving her customers. Betty met one of her longest served customers while she was in beautician school and faithfully served this customer, and many others, until her recent illness prevented her from continuing the work she loved.

Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her savior and was baptized in her early teen years. She attended and loved her church here in Tulsa, Skelly Drive Baptist Church. She spoke often of how she loved the fellowship of those she knew at church and how they faithfully ministered to her.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Melvin, two brothers, Boyd Patterson and Calvin Patterson both of Stilwell and her sister Mary Ann Rich of Tulsa. She is survived by her son Michael and his wife Kelly of Tulsa. Grandson Michael Ray Thurber II and his wife, Veronica, and their children Michael Ray Thurber III and Nicole Thurber of Tampa, Florida. Granddaughter, Jessica Jordan and her husband Jason of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Jason's son, Landon Hart and his wife Rebekah of Wagoner, Oklahoma. Grandson Dr. Casey Thurber and his wife Whitney and their children Oren, Ennen, and Ileigh of Grandview, Missouri. Three brothers, Darrell Patterson of Oklahoma City, Sam Patterson and his wife Sherry of Oklahoma City and Dr. J.W. Patterson of Lexington, Kentucky. Sister-in-law Greta Patterson of Stilwell, Oklahoma and Brother-in-law Harold Rich of Broken Arrow, OK. She is also survived by a whole host of nieces and nephews.