Betty Lebeda

Betty Williamson Lebeda….12/29/29 to 3/4/25, 95 years old

 Betty was born on a farm outside of Medford to Armettie and O.F. Williamson and was the youngest of eleven children. Betty was a fiercely proud mother to her four boys: Gary Kelly (Noreen), Terry Kelly, H. Wayne Kelly III, and Rodney Kelly (Mandy). She was raised in Medford and after marrying Harold W. Kelly Jr., they made a home in Ponca City and lived there for many years. Harold’s oilfield job took them to Casper, Wyoming in 1969, where Harold soon fell ill and passed away not long thereafter. As a housewife and with little formal education, she was thrust into the role as primary income earner for the family, working at a dress shop in downtown Casper. Betty, Wayne and Rodney relocated to Medford in the spring of 1972. She undertook many different jobs during her time there to support the family, working at the Dairyland, the restaurant at 81 and M&M, for Don Dobbs Television Repair shop, the nursing home in Caldwell, Kansas, and other jobs that helped pay the bills. She later married a local farmer, Stanley J. Lebeda, in 1982 where they made their home in Medford on Oak Street until Stanley’s passing in November of 2019. She continued to live in the home independently until a fall in the spring of 2022 forced a move to the Houston (Conroe) area to be near Rodney where she resided in the Sycamore Creek Ranch Memory Care Facility until her passing. Betty was a member of the First Christian Church in Medford and many other organizations in Medford. Betty entered many Grant County Fairs earning ribbons for her cherry pies, cinnamon rolls and various breads. The family always enjoyed her chicken n’ dumplings which was also a favorite of her mother, Grandma Williamson. There was always knitting and crocheting projects in progress at her house as well and she has left a legacy of her handiwork behind for generations to come.

She is survived by two sons, Terry Kelly of Panama City Beach, Florida and Rodney Kelly (Mandy) of Conroe, Texas; five grandchildren, Tracy Kelly (Charla) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Travis Kelly of Denver, Colorado, Taylor Hammond (Jamie) of Los Angeles, California, Kristen Johnson (Beau) of The Woodlands, Texas, and Alex Armstrong (Jeremy) of Spring, Texas; great grandmother to Heidi and Hank Johnson, Hadley and Hunter Armstrong, and Breah Kelly. Mom was a friend to many in the community and a dog lover who dearly loved her little Abby that kept her company at home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Armettie and O.F. Williamson; all her siblings, Marie Wilson, Tom Williamson, AA (Butch) Williamson, Alva Williamson, Erma Yadon, Velma Yerian, Hazel Tedford, Mrytle Payne, Geraldine (Geri) Sturtz and Charles Williamson; two sons, H. Wayne Kelly III and Gary E. Kelly, and her husband, Stanley Lebeda. 

Funeral service for Betty will be Monday, March 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Medford First Christian Church. Viewing will be prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Ponca City with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc of Medford. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.