Betty Spears

Betty Spears, 93, Retired Realtor, died Monday, February 24, 2025. Graveside Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Kensington Gardens. On August 16, 1931 Betty Tate Spears was born in Ashland, OK. She grew up with two older sisters, Louise and Sally, on a family farm. While in grade school her parents moved to Savanna, OK, near McAlester to be close to the Naval Ammunition Depot where they were employed during the war. As a young girl, Betty was industrious and full of energy. She enjoyed school and was valedictorian of her eighth grade class. She liked all sports but excelled at basketball. Every Sunday she would walk to the First Baptist Church and was baptized in her early teens. While in high school she met Richard Spears and the two were married May 8, 1947. Their first two years of marriage were spent in Biloxi, MS, where Richard was stationed at Keesler AFB. Upon completion of this assignment they returned to OK, where he enrolled and graduated from OU. During their period Betty worked as a Clerk Typist at Tinker AFB. They were blessed with two sons, David and Gary. Upon graduation Richard was employed at the Boeing Co. in Wichita. Once the boys started to school she decided to reenter the workforce. She became Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools at Derby, and remained there until Richard was transferred to Philadelphia. While in PA she was employed as an Office Manager for an Architectural firm. Eight years later they returned to Wichita and Betty decided she needed a new vocation. She studied and received her license to become a Real Estate Agent, and a few years later received her Brokers license. In 1979 she was awarded one of her greatest achievements. She was selected by her peers as the Wichita Broker-Associate of the Year. She continued in real estate until Richard was transferred to Seattle. At this point Betty retired. She has been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren, plus five great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters. Betty believed she had much to be thankful for before she left this life to join her savior. Preceded in death by her husband, Richard Spears; parents, Jesse and Rishie Tate; sisters, Louise Graham, Sally Beyer. Survived by her sons, David (Sherry) Spears of Maize, KS, Gary (Donna) Spears of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Ryan (Caitlyn) Spears, Adam Spears, Jennifer (Adam) Krause; 7 great-grandchildren. A memorial has been established with: American Heart Association, 5800 Foxridge Dr., Mission, KS 66202. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.