Betty Joyce (Littleton) Reed

The sky gently wept as Betty Joyce (Littleton) Reed, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on November 13, 1943, in Enid, Oklahoma, Betty was the treasured daughter of Denny Theron Littleton and Ethel Mae (Moore) Mattingly Littleton. Betty's life was a testament to love, dedication, and a commitment to family. As the matriarch of the family, she was the sun that we all orbited. She found joy in the simple pleasures, from the warmth of a family gathering to the laughter shared over a game of cards. Her life was a tapestry woven with love, humor, and an enduring legacy of care. Betty married Gerald (Jerry) Dodd on July 11, 1959, in Gainsville, Texas, at the tender age of 15. Together, they welcomed twins, Tina and Mark, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After their marriage ended, Betty found love again and married Donald Gene Reed on April 7, 1965, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Donald adopted the twins, and together, they had two more daughters, LaDonna and Paula. Family was the cornerstone of Betty’s life, and she was the heart of every holiday gathering, where her skills as a cook and hostess were legendary. A proud alumna of Horace Mann Elementary and Shawnee High School, Betty maintained lifelong friendships that brought her immense joy. Her career as an in-home daycare operator spanned over 50 years, during which she touched the lives of countless children and their families. Known affectionately as "Miss Betty," she was a caregiver in every sense, nurturing young minds and hearts, and staying connected with them as they grew. If she babysat you, she remembered and cherished you. Betty was a member of the Oklahoma Daycare Association, where she found camaraderie and shared her passion for providing nurturing environments for children. Her interests were as varied as her talents. She was an exceptional cook, a lover of antiques, genealogy, history, entertainment, and enjoyed playing cards and board games. Betty was known for her wit, creativity, and the ability to bring a smile with a snappy saying or a song lyric. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Denny and Ethel Littleton; her siblings, Donald Leo Mattingly, Henry Edward Littleton, James Thomas Littleton, Jim Orville Mattingly Jr, Edward Neil Mattingly, Dennis Theron Littleton, Truman Ross Mattingly, and Mildred Mae (Mattingly) Baggett; and her husband, Donald Gene Reed. Betty is survived by her children, Mark Reed of Oklahoma City, Tina Adair of Oklahoma City, LaDonna Elliston and husband Phil of Moore, and Paula Overton and husband Dave of Shawnee. Her legacy continues through her seven grandchildren: Matthew Adair of Piedmont, OK, Hope Bunting and husband Matthew of Elyria, OH, Dawn Cecelich and husband Ryan of Amherst, OH, Alyssa Sebastian and husband Robert of Bethany, OK, Makayla Willis and husband Randy of Royse City, TX, Rachel Elliston of Oklahoma City, and Joshua Elliston of Noble, OK, as well as her seven great-grandchildren, Autumn, Baylee, Bryce, IlayAnna, J Tobias, Rayne, and Ryleigh, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Betty was also adored by numerous friends and former daycare children and their families. A service to celebrate Betty's life will be held on September 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Lynlee Mae Chapel, located at 507 E Main St, Moore, OK through the assistance of John Ireland Funeral Home. There will be a brief graveside service to follow as she is laid to rest next to her husband, Don, at Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park: 44909 Highway 3, Shawnee, OK.