Elizabeth Chronos, J.D., 78, of Tulsa, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026. She was born on December 4, 1947, in Okmulgee to Evangeline Papafrangos Chronos and William Chronos.
Elizabeth graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1966, where she was Head Cheerleader and was named Homecoming Queen. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970 and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
She began her professional career as a legal book editor with Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company in Rochester, N.Y. before dedicating herself to raising her son and daughter. Elizabeth later returned to her lifelong calling in the law, earning her Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1997. While in law school, she served as President of the Women’s Law Caucus and received American
December 4, 1947 – January 21, 2026
Jurisprudence Awards in Intellectual Property, Criminal Law, Native American Law and International Law.
Never one to retire, Elizabeth practiced law in Tulsa for nearly 30 years. She was widely respected within the Tulsa legal community for her exceptional professionalism, integrity and tireless advocacy. Her work helped children find safety and brought justice to others during their most difficult moments. She cared deeply for her clients and was honored with the Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service by Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma.
Elizabeth touched all who knew her with her compassion, generosity and unwavering love. She was one of the most caring and selfless human beings, always putting others before herself. She is survived by her son, William Vautrain (Bridget); her daughter, Abigail Vautrain; her beloved grandchildren, Antonia, Bowie and Mariam; and many extended family members and friends who will carry her love forward. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Anita Chronos Chandler.
A funeral service celebrating Elizabeth’s life will be held Friday, February 6, at 1 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 501 S. Cincinnati Ave. in Tulsa. Memorial gifts may be made in the form of flowers to Trinity Episcopal Church, or charitable donations may be made in her memory to Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (legalaidok. org) or Domestic Violence Intervention Services (dvis.
org).
Arrangements have been entrusted to McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Elizabeth’s Tribute Page at www.mcclendon-winters. com.
