"This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

On April 22, 1939 in McAlester, Ok. a precious baby girl was born to Fred and Thelma Arlene Holley.  They named her Bettye Jo.  She was the fourth child of nine children.

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.  Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."  Psalm 100:1-2

Bettye Jo joined St. Mark Baptist Church at an early age under the pastorate of the late Rev. Theodore Hickerson.  She was a 1951 graduate of Manuel Training High School.

"A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD."  Proverbs 18:22

She met and married the love of her life, Howard McBride Sr. on February 14, 1960 and remained married until his death December 24, 2013. To this union seven children were born.

"If It Had Not Been for the Lord on My Side, Where Would I Be?"

She became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church under Rev. Tommy McFrazier. She was a member of the Macedonia Adult Choir where she served as president. She was secretary for the Sunday school department and an instructor of Circle 4 Mission Group.  Bettye attended studies under her son Rev. Napoleon McBride and continued learning with classes from the Oklahoma School of Religion under Rev. Larry H. Smith.  She was active in all training and duties of the church.  She was a dedicated believer and would always say, "The Lord don't need our help, but we need His."

She was an employee of McIntosh and Sunset Nursing Home as head cook and supervisor of culinary for many years.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes"…Revelation 21:4

Bettye has peacefully finished her earthly course. Those preceding her in death are her husband Howard Sr., one son, Rev. Napoleon McBride, her parents, three sisters, and two brothers.  She leaves to cherish her precious four sons Howard Jr, San Diego, Ca.; Kirk (April) Muskogee, OK.; Marc (Rashonda) Oklahoma City, Ok.; Dedric (Loretta) Fayettville, AR. Her two precious daughters, Leatrice Gaston (Kevin), Muskogee, Ok. Kimberly Jordan (Adrian), Tulsa, Ok.; 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Three sisters, Josephine Brackeen (Earl) Muskogee, Ok., Frankie Brewer Oklahoma City, Ok; Charlene Evans(James Sr.) Muskogee, Ok.  and a host of  nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Her Sacred Farewell will commence on Friday morning, August 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM in the Timothy Baptist Church.  Pastor Kelly Payne is the gracious host and Reverend Larry H. Smith, Officiating.  Burial will follow in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

You may visit her Thursday from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the funeral home.