Area Obituaries
Betty Delaine Biggs Montgomery, 90, of Norman, OK, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Arbor House Assisted Living in Norman. She was born January 30, 1933, in Birds, IL to Amadee Biggs and Bonnie Wampler. She was the third of four sisters. As a dedicated student and teacher of life, Betty received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University and Eastern Illinois University. Her God-given purpose and life calling was to be a teacher both in profession and in philosophy to those she held dear. She was a compassionate and engaging elementary school teacher for 28 years first in Louisiana and later in Olney, IL. Above all, Betty was a devout woman of Faith and devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, and sister. Her family was everything to her. Affectionately known as Grandma “Lollie” or “Ya Ya” by her grandchildren, she was an athlete and an avid sports and game enthusiast. Betty loved to ride her bike and play softball growing up. Among her all-time favorite teams were her son Vincent’s, the Lawrenceville Indians, and her grandchildren’s, the Downs, IL Tri-Valley Vikings, and the Norman, OK Community Christian School Royals. Over the years, she could be found front and center in the stands rooting them on. She was also a cheerleader in high school and one of their greatest cheerleaders in life too. Betty was an intelligent woman and had a passion for English, grammar, and homeopathic health. She was a notable cook and baker—two of her “famous” recipes that will live on through her family are her Shrimp Gumbo and Christmas Pralines both mastered during her time living in the south. Betty was fun-loving and quick-witted. She loved to sing, dance, laugh, and make light of life, which she did right up until her very last moments on this Earth when she was called home to Jesus lovingly surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronny Montgomery; her parents; her sisters: Faegene Devaney and Shirley Lackey; her brothers-in-law: Ron Lackey and Jack Knoerr; her son-in-law: Jay Fitzgerald; and her niece and nephew: Nancy and Michael Wampler. She is survived by her beloved children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: daughter: Lisa (late Jay) Fitzgerald; sons: Sean (Gwen) Montgomery and Doctor Vincent (Kimberly) Montgomery; grandchildren: Nicholas Fitzgerald, Bailey (Chase) Johnson, Kinsey (Bruno Abreu) Fitzgerald, Kaylin (Zackary) Watkins, Kristen (Mason) Brozovich, Justin and Carson Montgomery; and great grandchildren: August Johnson and Lennon Fitzgerald. She is also survived by her sister: Patricia (late Jack) Knoerr and nieces and nephews: Carol McInnis, Jeff (Joyce) Knoerr, Jay (Judy) Knoerr, Rory (Lisa) Lackey, and Scott (Lisa) Lackey. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 am CST on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Emmons-Macey ; Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, IL. The burial will follow at Lawrenceville City Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to the Kids in Need of Desks (K.I.N.D) Fund at www.unicefusa.org. Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.
