Betty Jean Bloom, of OKC, went to be with Jesus, on Mon., April 30, 2007, after suffering a massive stroke on April 27. She was born Feb. 23, 1929, in Chicago, IL, to Mattie and Harold Lucas. At age 18, her family moved to OKC, where she met her husband, Don, of 58 years. They married on Feb. 19, 1949 and together raised a large family to love and serve the Lord accomplishing one of Betty's most cherished desires. Betty's love extended far beyond her immediate family, as she made opportunities to meet needs in the lives of those around her. Since 1997, she has filled or coordinated the distribution of more than 170,000 shoe box gifts to needy children around the world through the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. She made many cherished friends through this and her other life pursuits running the family business, serving faithfully at Northwest Baptist Church, scrapbooking and miniature collecting clubs and traveling internationally. She was predeceased by her parents and brother, Rev. John Lucas. Betty is survived by her husband, Don; her 7 children; 17 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren: Carol & John McLaughlin, Justin & Sharla McLaughlin, Avery & Collier, Bartlesville, OK, Bryan McLaughlin, Cambridge, England & fianci, Dr. Rebecca Beale, London, England; Gayle & Steve Love, Erik & Michelle; Donna & Jerry Gray, Kim & Nick, Kallye & Matt Klem, & Dr. Jeremy Gray, Cleveland, OH; Richard & Janet Bloom, Kayla, Courtney & Kyle; David & Ginna Bloom, Katie & Ryan; Brad & Julia Bloom, Brennan & Breanna, North Richland Hills, TX; Rod & Julie Bloom, Ethan & Jett; sister, Leanne Suhre; sister-in-law, Helen Gill & Jerry; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to either Operation Christmas Child or to provide a lift at the family church, Kerwood-Bethesda Church (Lift Fund), Rt. 2, Kerwood, Ontario, Canada XOM2BO, Attn: George Johnson. Family visitation will be at Mercer-Adams, Thurs., May 3, from 6:008:30pm. Funeral service on Fri., May 4, at 11:00 am, at Northwest Baptist Church, 3030 NW 23rd St., OKC. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. MERCER-ADAMS
Published in The Oklahoman on 5/2/2007.