Betty C. Criswell

She died, like she lived . . . a Christian. Betty Colleen Criswell, 67, of Duncan went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV). Services will be at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Bethesda Church of God at 201 South 15th Street (15th & Maple), Duncan, OK with Reverend Harold Metheny and Jason Lee Hunt officiating. Interment will follow at the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of the Bailes-Polk Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for visitation at the Bailes-Polk Funeral Home at 910 West Oak, Duncan, OK from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday, January 16, 2017. Family gatherings will be at 2209 Mallard, Duncan, OK. Betty was born on June 26, 1949 in Duncan, Oklahoma, the daughter of Jessie James and Colleen J. (Inman) Lee. She and Gary Criswell were married in Duncan, Oklahoma. Betty was the Vice President and Co-Owner of Gary Criswell Auction Service & Real Estate, Inc., and had her Sales Associate Real Estate License for over thirty-five years. She had the unique talent and expertise of organizing auctions for the family business. Betty had the gift of witnessing and sharing her faith. Her life was a living testimony and exemplified the life of a Christian. She had a giving and servant’s heart. Her ministry was giving bibles and Jesus Calling books to friends, family, and even strangers, through which she has touched many lives over the years. She loved her church and worshipping her Savior. Through her sickness, her faith never wavered. As a prayer warrior, she believed her Lord would heal her, and indeed He did, as she walked through Heaven’s gates. She was preceded in death by her father, Jessie James Lee and her sister, Helen Janette Nichols. She is survived by her husband, Gary Criswell of the home in Duncan; her mother Colleen Lee of Duncan; daughters Charlotte Brooks, husband Carlton of Duncan, Lela VanSchepen of Duncan, and Kim Weaver, husband Darrell of Moore, OK; grandchildren Cherae Foster, husband Andrew, of Fort Carson, CO, Courtney Brooks, Lauren Hennan, Ainsleigh Hennan of Duncan, Madison Weaver, Asa Weaver of Moore, OK; great-grandchildren Steven Hickman and Connor Foster of Fort Carson, CO; brothers Billy Lee, wife Sherry, Doyle Lee, wife Ginger; and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Robert Lee, Billy Lee Jr., Kevin Lee, Brandon Lee, Jessie Lee, Paul Nichols. Honorary Pallbearers will be Harley Files and Ted Cox. The family wishes to give gratitude for the compassionate care provided to Betty by Dr. Jeff Jones, Chisholm Trail Hospice and staff Dr. Laura Myrick, LD Duncan, RN, Theresa Weber, LPN, Kevin Salie, LPN, loving friends and neighbors Mike and Carla Gerber and Dr. Chandra Ojha. If desired, you may make contributions in Betty’s honor to Bethesda Church of God to continue her ministry with Jesus Calling books or Chisholm Trail Hospice, Duncan, OK.