LaRue Burton, Lebanon, OK

Graveside services for Bettie LaRue Burton will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Temple Cemetery, Temple, Oklahoma, with Stan Scherler officiating. Services are under the care and direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters, OK.

Bettie LaRue was born October 15, 1941, to J.C. Collins Jr. and Dorothy Christine Wampler in Duncan, OK. She departed this life on February 27, 2025, in her home at Lebanon, Oklahoma.

LaRue grew up and attended school in Temple, Oklahoma. She graduated from Temple High School in 1959. She married her longtime sweetheart Gene Burton Jr. on June 6, 1959, in Temple, OK. Gene and LaRue had three children while living and working in Temple: Kurtis Gene, LaDonna Kris, and Kindal Marie.

LaRue began her long career in the clothing industry by becoming a Haggar Slacks employee in 1963 at Temple. Gene and LaRue, along with their three children, moved to various towns in Oklahoma and Texas, including Lawton, OK, Greenville, and Whitesboro, TX. The family moved to Healdton, Oklahoma, in 1974, where Gene and LaRue became managers of Healdton Manufacturing. Gene and LaRue spent many nights participating in a bowling league at the Healdton bowling alley. If the couple was not following their children to various sporting events, they would also be found playing cards, dominoes, and board games with Bob and Gwen Treadwell of Healdton.

After the graduation of their three children, Gene and LaRue moved to Lebanon, Oklahoma, and continued to work in the clothing manufacturing industry. In 1990, LaRue switched careers and began working for the State of Oklahoma Health Department of Marshall County in Madill, Oklahoma. After working there for 19 years and six months, she retired in 2010. She loved working there and instantly became friends with her beloved co-workers.

LaRue continued living in Lebanon with her husband until his passing. She was very independent while living with her beloved dog Pepper and cat Daisy. She enjoyed doing her own yard work, sewing, puzzles, and Sudoku. But her favorite times were when her children and grandchildren came to visit. Time was spent cooking, eating, and winning at Shang Hi Rummy (occasionally she would throw her grandchildren a needed card).

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Sylvia Ann Booher and her son Kurt Burton.

Surviving LaRue is her daughter Kris Burton of Benbrook, TX; her daughter Kindal Rector and husband Joe of Springtown, TX; her grandchildren Collin Rector and his wife Rachel of Weatherford, TX, and Ashland Rector of Springtown, TX; her granddaughter Jennifer Neismith, and grandson Bradley Burton and wife Jessica, and great-granddaughters Emery and Ziva Burton of Healdton, OK; also, her step-grandchildren Dillon and Macy Barns of Oil City; her niece Kim Scherler and nephew Kevin Smith of Walters, OK, and many great nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Rector, Bradley Burton, Stan Scherler, and Phillip Hart.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Turney and Jim Booher.

Memorial donations can be made in her memory to your local pet shelter.