Bettie Jane Brooks, 81, died May 6, 2025, at home surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. She was born December 22, 1943, in Guymon, OK, to Byron G. and Mary Magdalane (Froelich) Brown, Jr.
Bettie graduated from Hooker High School, Hooker, OK, in 1961, and Union Adventist University, Lincoln, NE, with her bachelor’s degree in social work. She worked five years for the Reno County Welfare Department (currently known as the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services or SRS). Once Bettie and Robert started a family, Bettie stayed home to raise their two sons. She eventually opened her own daycare, making a difference in children’s lives for over 30 years. Bettie enjoyed gardening, swimming in the family pool, and playing the piano, especially at church. Faith and family were prominent to Bettie. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church her entire life and was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and sister-in-law.
On June 4, 1966, Bettie married Robert L. Brooks, in Hutchinson.
Bettie is survived by: her husband of almost 59 years, Robert Brooks of Hutchinson; sons, Russell Brooks of Wylie, TX, and Ryan Brooks (Stephanie) of Wichita; grandchildren, Emma Brooks and Faith Brooks of Wichita; sister, Billie Meyer of Hooker, OK; brothers-in-law, Ronald Dean Brooks and Randall Brooks, both of Hutchinson; nephew, Monty Meyer; niece, Missy Thomason (Kenny), and great-nieces and great-nephews, Carissa Paxton, Chelsea Pollard, Austin Thomason, and Zac Thomason.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Doyt Meyer.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1302 N. Severance, Hutchinson. Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Hooker City Cemetery, Hooker, OK.
Memorials are suggested to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.