Betty (Morton) Poplin

Betty Morton Poplin was born to Jessie Mae and Stanton Reid Morton on June 28, 1929, in Oswego, Kansas. She passed away on August 3, 2021, in Seminole, Oklahoma. Betty grew up in Okmulgee. After high school she met and married Fred C. Turner. They moved to Mobile, Alabama, followed by moves to Steubenville, Ohio and Waterville, Maine. While in Maine she gave birth to their only child Jan. Shortly after Jan’s birth, Fred passed away and Betty returned to Seminole, Oklahoma where she lived with her parents and worked at First Federal Savings and Loan. Upon her father’s transfer to Pampa, Texas, Betty and Jan moved to Texas for a short time and then returned to Seminole. When she returned, she took a position working for K. D. Emrick.

After returning to Seminole Betty met, fell in love with, and married Leroy Poplin in 1959. Their family of three grew in 1961 with the addition of their son Donald and again in 1964 with the birth of their daughter Judy. Betty and Leroy enjoyed 61 years of marriage prior to his death earlier this year. Betty was busy and active as a mother of three children. She was also very involved in The First Christian Church. The Christian Women’s Fellowship and specifically the women’s evening Guild ministry were very important to her. She also enjoyed singing in the choir. In addition to her involvement in her local church she served as the treasurer on the board of directors for Texhoma Christian Camp for many years. The Seminole chapter of Business and Professional Women was another organization that was important in Betty’s life. In 1978 she was named the Business and Professional Woman of the year for Seminole.

Betty was a true sports fan. She loved rooting for the Sooners and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Something many people may not be aware of is that Betty played basketball during high school and developed a special love for the game. As Seminole College began to grow during the 70’s Betty was a loyal fan of both the men and women’s teams and even followed the teams to the playoff games in Kansas. As her family grew, she became a loyal fan for each of her grandchildren and whatever sport they were playing at the time. She enjoyed watching their games in person as often as possible.

Beyond her human children and grandchildren, Betty was a confirmed lover of dogs (especially dachshunds). She also loved feeding and watching the Cardinals and Hummingbirds that came to her feeders. We will all miss her strong spirit and faithful prayers for our family.

Betty is survived by her children Judy (Ricky) Sullinger, Donald (Kathy) Poplin, Jan (Kent) Gravley and her grandchildren Melissa Sullinger, Richard (Susie) Hoffman, Shiloh (Marcy) Hoffman, Ben Gravley, Susannah Gravley, and Laura Gravley.  She is also survived by her sister Frieda Poplin.

Memorial services jointly celebrating the lives of both Arthur Leroy Poplin and Betty Poplin will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, OK 74868 with Glen Pence officiating.  Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation for the benefit of Laura Gravley.