Obituary

Betty Marie (Jefferson) Moses

July 28, 1933 – February 27, 2020

“Mom to many and loved by all!”

Born to Tancy and Sarah Evans on July 28, 1933 came a big 14 pound bundle of joy Betty Marie Gwendolyn Evans. Tancy and Sarah lived in Beggs, Oklahoma and raised seven children: Calvin, Alvin, Sereanas, Ruth, Betty, Norma and Nice Ann.

At 16 years old Betty married Willie Jefferson in 1949. They moved to Michigan where she lived for six years and then returned to Tulsa to start a family: Terry, Sherry & Sheryl, Renda, Timothy, Gwendolyn, Tolley and Tommy. Betty would suffer the loss of her twins: Sherry & Sheryl a few hours after their birth and Timothy lived 28 days. In 1966 she lost her husband, Willie, in a car accident leaving her to care for five children alone.

In 1968 she married James Moses who had six children: Kathy, Janet, Augusta, Stephanie, Celeste and Martin. Together they would have one child, Evan in 1969. (If you’re keeping count that’s 12!)  In the late 60s they operated the Ebony Club which was the hotspot for the North side of Tulsa, and later owned and operated B & J Bar-B-Que restaurant.

Betty never missed an activity that involved her children. She always wanted to be present in case one of them were injured. Betty would become a volunteer for sports, plays, PTA, Cheerleading and Majorette Sponsor, Marching Band Sponsor, Quarterback Club President, Homeroom Mother, Cub Scouts and Brownies, tap, ballet recitals . . . and her support continued to the next generation.

After her children grew older Betty went to work at Zebco in 1975 and retired in 1998. After a short retirement she went back to work at Sam’s Club for 13 years and retired again. There she left her mark being the Employee of the Month more times than anyone during her time with them.

Betty never turned anyone away that needed her. She took in her granddaughter Shamika during high school and raised granddaughter Jamie, from a toddler, as her own. Betty always said “every child needs a mother” and if she could be there, she would.

Betty loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would talk about them constantly. She was always about family, being kind and loving. She had to be the most forgiving person in this world and did not waste time disliking anyone because her love was strong and constant. She was protective and you always felt safe and knew everything would be alright whenever she was around. Betty had a calm about her and you would feel it too. One of the best things about Betty was her love of socializing. She never met a stranger!

Betty was born and raised Catholic. Her faith was very important to her and she knew God would always be there for her. Being a very active member at St Monica church and assisting others at St Augustine church brought her great joy until her health started to fail.

God called her home on February 27, 2020. She is survived by her children: Terry Jefferson (wife Darlene), Gwendolyn Bain, Tommy Jefferson and Evan Moses (wife Sheila). Her husband, James Moses and his children: Augusta Green (husband David), Janet Wayne (husband Glen), Stephanie Moses and Martin Moses. Brother Sereanas Evans, Sisters Ruth Randles and Norma Stripling; and a host of nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins and many friends and family who loved her dearly.