Betty Lou Johnson

Betty Lou Johnson, 90, longtime resident of Altus, Oklahoma, joined her loving Savior in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the ten-year anniversary of her husband’s passing. The family will greet friends from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Saturday, April 6^th, at Kincannon Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 7^th, in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Betty Lou Tidwell was born on November 28, 1933, in Oneonta, Alabama to George Ollice and Virginia Lucille (Champion) Tidwell. As the oldest of eight siblings, Betty learned the value of family at an early age. She attended school in Alabama and Florida, graduating high school in Homestead. Betty married Marlin E. Smith in 1951, and to this union, three beautiful children were born, Jerry Max, Deborah, and Ricky Ollice. She married Robert Samuel “Bob” Johnson, an Airman with the United States Air Force, on September 19, 1969, in Homestead. They were stationed at Altus Air Force Base in 1974, before transferring to England in 1983. Betty and Bob greatly enjoyed their time as an Air Force family, attending functions and making friends across the globe. Southwest Oklahoma made a significant impression on the Floridians. After Bob’s retirement from the Air Force in 1987, the couple returned to Altus and maintained roles on base through the civil service. She and Bob were members of the First Baptist Church of Altus. Betty enjoyed her visits with Rev. Doug Altom at Magnolia Creek when she was no longer able to attend church services.

Betty was an accomplished seamstress and crocheter. She made clothing, quilts, stuffed bunnies, and Raggedy Ann and Andy doll sets that continue to be passed down from generation to generation. She enjoyed playing Bunco with the girls, especially when they celebrated holidays. But her true love and joy in life was to be surrounded by children. She treasured her time babysitting each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, not to mention many others; each gaining valuable lessons only a ‘Nannie’ can teach.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Bob; son, Jerry Smith; parents, George and Virginia; and siblings, Joyce, Nell, Roy, Charles, and Wayne. Those left to honor Betty’s memory and infectious smile are her daughter, Deborah Gulbrandsen and husband, Carl; son, Ricky O. Smith; nine grandchildren, Deanna Julian and husband, George, John Walker and wife, Margie, Stacey Lyn Ford and husband, Jeff, Kelly Gulbrandsen, Ricky Smith, Shane Smith and wife, Cindy, Konnor Smith, Gannon Smith, and Pendah Smith; eight great-grandchildren, Ava Dolan, Addison Dolan, Claire Campbell, Byron Ford, Sarah Ford, Adam Smith, Zander Smith, and Addison Smith; sister, Mary Ann; brother, Paul; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; and treasured friend, Bonetta Steensgard.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to JCMH Hospice and the staff at Magnolia Creek for their love and care of Betty. Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com. The service livestream may be viewed at https://youtu.be/kmGmQPQZeCc.