April 24, 1943 — October 6, 2024
The Memorial services celebrating and honoring Betty Joyce Ream Norton will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Cherokee Methodist Church in Cherokee, Oklahoma with Lay Pastor Aaron Hoggard speaking and Patria Hague leading. Burial will follow at the Star Cemetery East of Aline, Oklahoma, under the direction of Brown-Cummings, A life celebration home.
Betty was born April 24th, 1943, in Alva, Oklahoma to Laura Geneva (Brown) Ream and Hiram E. (Gene) Ream. She departed this life and graduated to home in Heaven on Sunday, October 6th, 2024, at Greenbriar Nursing Home, Enid, Oklahoma.
She attended all her school years in Cherokee graduating May 1961. She was married to Eldon Dean Norton on May 19th, 1961, in Cherokee, Oklahoma. To this union two children were born: A son Keith Eugene and a daughter Laura Louise. She and Dean lost one child by miscarriage shortly before Dean died.
Betty worked in restaurants, groceries and convenience stores in Cherokee, Aline, Carmen, Fairview, Seiling and Helena.
After Dean’s death Betty went to technical skill to learn typing and basic computer in order to provide better for her family. This provided her the opportunity to work for Tag Agency’s in Fairview, Helena, Cherokee, Watonga and Canton.
She was a member of the Cherokee United Methodist Church where she attended Sunday School, sang in the choir, and played chimes.
Betty also attended the Northwest Oklahoma Emmaus Walk. She was a member of the Order of Rainbow for Girls in Cherokee.
For many years Betty was a lead volunteer in a community food program to help those who could not afford food.
Betty was an avid and speedy reader, often reading several books in a day. She also enjoyed watching TV, working word puzzles, and keeping in touch with friends and family.
Betty loved her family and was the most faithful card sender any have ever known, delighting many nieces and nephews, and many adopted, with dollars in cards for every holiday.
Surviving are her son Keith Eugene Norton of Cherokee and wife Shawna; daughter Laura Louise and her husband Kenneth Girty of Enid; grandchildren Kelly Dawn and Chad Nech of Enid; Nicole Renee and Sean Ekberg of Yukon; and Joshua Dean Girty of Siloam Springs, AR, brother-in-law Bill Summerlin of Arlington, TX; nephew Michael Summerlin and Sara of Arlington, TX; great-nephews Alexander (Albuquerque, NM) and Max Summerlin (Arlington, TX); great-niece Madison Summerlin of (Arlington, TX); and sister-in-law Flora Mae Roszel and husband Doug, of Skiatook.
Betty was proceeded in death by her husband Dean Norton in July 1975; Father Hiram E. (Gene) Ream; Sisters Laveta Summerlin and Charlotte Belle Ream; In-laws Keith and Helen Norton; Sister-in-law Roberta Davis and husband Leon; Friend/Partner Frank Csipak and her grandparents.
Memorials contributions may be made to Cherokee Methodist Church with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
