As the bell tower rang on Monday night, students, alumni, faculty and friends gathered in Scott Chapel to honor and remember the life of Oklahoma Christian University cafeteria worker, Betty Clark.
Following her death on Feb. 21, Dean of Student Life Neil Arter organized a memorial service open to anyone influenced by Miss Betty’s life.
The service featured stories from students who drove Miss Betty to and from Oklahoma Christian throughout her time as an employee in the cafeteria.
As attendees revealed their favorite memories and stories, laughs were shared and tears were shed.
Brett Vanderzee, Oklahoma Christian alumnus, highlighted his favorite memories of Miss Betty from his time serving as one of her student drivers.
“Her laugh, her hilarious and wonderful spirit and how she lit up the car or the room, even through her trials, is a joy that she really gave me,” Vanderzee said.
Other alumni attended the service, including Jed Davis, who also served as a driver for Miss Betty.
“Every conversation you had with her, whether you were driving her or grabbing a cookie from her in the caf, you left and would say, ‘that’s Miss Betty, that’s my girl.’” Davis said. “You knew that she was your best friend, and you felt that you were her best friend as well.”
Others in attendance included the teachers of her Bible class at church, those who drove her to medical appointments and others who served Miss Betty since her involvement with Memorial Road Church of Christ and Oklahoma Christian.
Junior Bret Arnold said Miss Betty influenced his life through her faith and the love she had for her role on campus.
“The way that Miss Betty had a relationship with God is one of the greatest things that I’ll take away from knowing her,” Arnold said. “Secondly, is just knowing that we can love our jobs and what we do, and choose to express gratitude on any given Monday morning, as much as she did.”
The evening concluded with those in attendance singing Miss Betty’s favorite song, “Amazing Grace.” Scott Young, Memorial Road worship minister, led the hymn after recalling how Miss Betty requested he lead the song in church every Sunday morning.
The memorial service honored Miss Betty’s presence in the Oklahoma Christian community and celebrated the life of a woman who will be remembered through the students she referred to as her “kids,” and all who knew her.
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