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Betty Jo Standifer, age 82, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022. She was born January 29, 1940, to the late Joe and Elizabeth Sendelbach. She met her future husband, George, on a blind date in 1961, and she was smitten by his blue eyes and sense of humor; they were married three months later. Their four children all quickly learned that their mother was a force of nature with a keen sense of hearing and network of friends and family that ensured she always knew where you’d been and what you’d been doing. A life-long resident of Norman, Betty was also a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She volunteered at the church in several areas, most notably, the St. Joseph’s Thrift Shop, which she managed for several years. Betty spent hours each week sorting new donations and preparing the shop before it opened it each week.



Betty was very active in the Democratic Party, serving as Secretary in the Cleveland County office, recruiting and organizing precinct chairs, knocking on doors, making calls and managing and overseeing the monthly Bean and Cornbread luncheons for over two years. Betty and George were recognized by the State of Oklahoma House of Representatives as “Outstanding Volunteers in the State of Oklahoma for the Cleveland County Democratic party” for that service. A fierce advocate for democracy and for those whose voices aren’t always heard or represented, she proudly participated in the 2016 Women’s March in Washington, DC, and wrote countless letters to elected officials reminding them to represent ALL of their constituents. Betty was a volunteer poll worker for over ten years, and missed that opportunity to visit with old friends as they came to vote when her Parkinson’s made it impossible to continue to serve in that capacity.



Betty’s role as a loving caretaker began when the first of her four children was born in 1962. She retired from office work to help care for ailing parents and parents-in-law, and later, her husband. She was a phenomenal cook, hosting delicious birthday dinners each month for her family and preparing and delivering candy and nut breads to friends and family each Christmas. Betty was also an avid gardener and enjoyed working in her flower beds and vegetable garden. She was so proud of her family and their commitment to serving in various ways to their own communities. A loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend; she will be so deeply missed.



In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George Standifer; and her brother, Paul Sendelbach. She is survived by her four children, Kelly Standifer and husband David Sherry, Mike Standifer and wife Laura, Jim Standifer and wife Kristi, and Robert Standifer; one brother, Raymond Sendelbach; and six grandchildren, Chris Standifer, Nicholas Standifer, Haley Standifer, Corie Standifer, Jennifer Sherry and Stephanie Sherry. The family is so grateful for Mom’s loving caregivers at home (Kim, Salina, Jackie, Dolly and Rosie and for the Norman Fire Department for the many times they responded to help her when she fell. We are indebted to the entire staff at Rivermont for their care and attention to her needs, and attentiveness to her inclination to remain independently mobile.