Bettye Biglow was born in Okmulgee on October 25, 1932. She was called home the morning of July 9, 2024, at the age of 91.
She was raised by her grandmother, Stella Cobb; uncle and aunt, Jesse and Emma Frazier. Stella and Emma were sisters. She gained two sisters, Lucille and Beatrice. Bettye attended Okmulgee schools, graduating in 1949.
Bettye married Valton Biglow in 1950, and they moved to Wichita, Kansas. Upon arriving in Wichita, she met Jasper and Pearl Burney, who became her Kansas parents. They showed her around Wichita and invited her to attend Greater St. Mary’s Baptist Church. She was active in the mission, joining the Dorcas Circle. She was a regular Sunday school attendee which led to her becoming the adult Sunday school superintendent for many years. She loved singing and was a member of the celestial choir which became “The Voices of Greater St. Mary’s.” Bettye was an active member of the church until her health condition would no longer allow her to attend, but she remained faithful in her support of the church in her giving of her tithes and offerings. Bettye had a close relationship with God all her life and encouraged her family to put God first in their lives.
Over the course of 15 years, Bettye and Valton had twelve children. Unfortunately, the marriage did not persevere. There was no animosity between them after the divorce. She taught her children to love their father no matter what. Bettye worked numerous jobs over the years including being the driving force in the family janitorial business. Her role was administrative assistant. She also participated for a time in performing some of the work along with her dear friend, Olivia Manuel.
Those who went before Bettye include her ex-husband, Valton Biglow; children, Larry Biglow, Cheryl October 25, 1932 – July 9, 2024
Faye Biglow and Debra Spencer; grandmother, Stella Cobb; aunt and uncle, Jesse and Emma Frazier; sisters and their husbands, Beatrice and Sheridan Adams, Lucille and Louis Zanders and Kevin’s wife Charla Biglow; grandson, Christopher LaMonte Spencer; grandson, Michael Biglow II; and great-great-grandson, Amari Bailey Chambers.
Bettye leaves behind her nine children, Darrell Biglow (Velda), Gary Biglow (Myra), Carla Dallas (Willard), Kenneth Biglow (Pat), Valinda Hanks (Marty), Wanda Biglow, Kevin Biglow, Kelvin Biglow (Rachel) and Mike Biglow (Tracy); Debra’s husband, Lamonte; and 21 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The Hour of Remembrance for Mrs. Biglow will commence on Wednesday morning, July 17, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the most holy sanctuary of the Greater St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, 1648 E. 17th Street North in Wichita, Kansas. Her Pastor, The Reverend Willard Dallas, will preside.
Entombment will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery Mausoleum in Wichita.
You may visit Mother Biglow as she slumbers in sweet repose at Greater St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday, between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m.
The service for Mrs. Bettye Biglow will be streamed via the Facebook page of Greater St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/ GSMMBC?mibextid=LQQJ4d.
