Betty Jo Watkins

Betty Jo Watkins, born Betty Jo Horner on September 8, 1930, in Chelsea, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Jessie (Dewey) Horner, passed away on March 8, 2026, at the age of 95. Raised in Chelsea, she left school in the eighth grade after her father’s sudden death to help support her family, working as a live-in housekeeper, waitress, and cook. In 1950 she married Joe Watkins, and together they operated the Eastside Cafe in Chelsea before Joe’s service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. The couple made their home in Chelsea for the rest of their lives, raising three children while Betty worked as head cook in the school cafeteria and later at Colonial Manor Nursing Home, in a sewing factory, and painting houses.

A woman of strong work ethic and many talents, Betty kept a spotless home, cared devotedly for her family, and found joy in sewing, quilting, needlepoint, embroidery, and especially crocheting. She created countless afghans and lap quilts, and was known throughout the community for her German potato salad, homemade noodles, pie crusts, and custard pies. For more than forty years she and Joe enjoyed Friday evening meals with his cousin Tom and Pat Wilson. She managed her household finances with meticulous care and, in her later years, became a faithful member of Calvary Lighthouse Church, where she served as a dedicated prayer warrior.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Joe Watkins, her son Ronnie Watkins, grandson Tommy Joe Watkins, her parents, siblings Charles Lee Horner, Emma Boen, and many other loved ones.

She is survived by her sons Rickey Watkins and wife Sue, and Daryl Watkins, both of Chelsea, daughter-in-law Rhonda Watkins of Bushyhead, sister-in-law Lois Watkins of Backus, Minnesota, grandchildren Chuck Watkins and wife Andrea, Shane Watkins, Jack Watkins and Kyley Spears, great-grandchildren Duane and wife Jackie, Connor and wife Cheyenne, Cody and wife Abigail, Westin, Joesiah, Katelynn Nicewander, Adrienne and Mickey Theall, and Declan, bonus grandchildren Michael, Isaiah, and Montana, great-great-grandchildren Jasmine, Kenzie, and Grayson, granddaughter-in-law Heather Watkins and partner Mark and their children Annalise and a soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, church family, and her beloved “daughter she never had,” Marilynn Jones-Wilson Gibson.