Obituary for Betty Jo Tipton
Betty Jo Tipton, 102, Altus, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Jackson County Memorial Hospital.
Betty was born on December 4, 1922, in Marietta, Oklahoma to Henry C. and Dora C. (Souse) Sanders. She grew up in the Eastman Community of Love County, Oklahoma and attended school there. Betty moved to Altus to attend beauty school and work as a hairdresser. She met Sam O'Neal at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Altus. Betty moved to San Francisco, California for a couple of years to live with a friend and work as a hairdresser there. In August 1945, she married Sam O'Neal in San Diego, California, where Sam was in the U.S. Navy. They moved back to Altus shortly after, where Betty would reside until her passing. From the early 1950's and for many years, Betty owned and operated Betty O'Neal Beauty Salon in Altus. Following Sam's death in 1974, she worked a number of years for the Oklahoma State Employment Service. Betty married Orley Tipton on July 1, 1985, in Altus, Oklahoma. She was appointed to the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology by Gov. Henry Bellmon and served in this capacity for 12 years. She was also elected to the National Board of Cosmetology. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Altus where she also taught Sunday School. Betty was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Erolethian Club, Honey Do Homemakers Club, and the Gamma Mothers Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Sam O'Neal and Orley Tipton; two sons, Sammy Michael O'Neal and David Wayne Tipton; two brothers, Henry and John Sanders; and a sister, Anna Lee Burkhart.
Survivors include her son Randall O'Neal and wife, Lynette; a daughter-in-law, Barbara O'Neal; six grandchildren, Tyler O'Neal, Todd O'Neal and wife, Becky, Trey O'Neal and wife, Shera, Travis O'Neal and wife, Jenni, Jennifer LeMay and husband, Greg, and Amy Estes and husband, Kirk; 18 great grandchildren, Colby, Avery, Troop, Tate, Trott, Maggie, Saylor, Tag, Addison, Malia, Madeline, Micah, Maeley, Malachi, Aaron, Ryan, Jake, and Colton; a great great grandson, Ayden; two sisters, Bobbie Jean Epley and Mary Lou Buckley; a brother, Eddie Sanders; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Travis O'Neal and Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Burial will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the care of the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Betty's name to the Prayer Ministry of First Baptist Church of Altus, Oklahoma.
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Betty was born on December 4, 1922, in Marietta, Oklahoma to Henry C. and Dora C. (Souse) Sanders. She grew up in the Eastman Community of Love County, Oklahoma and attended school there. Betty moved to Altus to attend beauty school and work as a hairdresser. She met Sam O'Neal at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Altus. Betty moved to San Francisco, California for a couple of years to live with a friend and work as a hairdresser there. In August 1945, she married Sam O'Neal in San Diego, California, where Sam was in the U.S. Navy. They moved back to Altus shortly after, where Betty would reside until her passing. From the early 1950's and for many years, Betty owned and operated Betty O'Neal Beauty Salon in Altus. Following Sam's death in 1974, she worked a number of years for the Oklahoma State Employment Service. Betty married Orley Tipton on July 1, 1985, in Altus, Oklahoma. She was appointed to the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology by Gov. Henry Bellmon and served in this capacity for 12 years. She was also elected to the National Board of Cosmetology. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Altus where she also taught Sunday School. Betty was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Erolethian Club, Honey Do Homemakers Club, and the Gamma Mothers Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Sam O'Neal and Orley Tipton; two sons, Sammy Michael O'Neal and David Wayne Tipton; two brothers, Henry and John Sanders; and a sister, Anna Lee Burkhart.
Survivors include her son Randall O'Neal and wife, Lynette; a daughter-in-law, Barbara O'Neal; six grandchildren, Tyler O'Neal, Todd O'Neal and wife, Becky, Trey O'Neal and wife, Shera, Travis O'Neal and wife, Jenni, Jennifer LeMay and husband, Greg, and Amy Estes and husband, Kirk; 18 great grandchildren, Colby, Avery, Troop, Tate, Trott, Maggie, Saylor, Tag, Addison, Malia, Madeline, Micah, Maeley, Malachi, Aaron, Ryan, Jake, and Colton; a great great grandson, Ayden; two sisters, Bobbie Jean Epley and Mary Lou Buckley; a brother, Eddie Sanders; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Travis O'Neal and Rev. Doug Altom officiating. Burial will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the care of the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Betty's name to the Prayer Ministry of First Baptist Church of Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of Betty Jo Tipton, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
29
Oct
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Thursday
30
Oct
2:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
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