Betty May (Shurey) Clem was born January 1, 1922 in Kidmore End, Hartley District, Oxford England
to Fred and Annie May (Annettes) Shurey. She was the second of three children for Fred and Annie.
Betty went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 26, 2017. at the age of 95. Betty attended Redbourne
and Harpenden schools in Reading, completing her education in 1938 at the age of 16. Her favorite subjects
were English and History. She especially enjoyed performing in the school plays. She oftentimes entertained
her family by still being able to recite some of her lines from the plays. Upon her graduation from school, she
worked in retail sales until the beginning of World War II. At that time she started work in the aviation industry
where replaced the electronic components on combat aircraft. In 1942, Betty met the love of her life. Lee Clem
was stationed at Bassingbourne Air Base where he served in the 8th. Air Force, 91st. Heavy Bomb Group. His
best friend was supposed to have a date with Betty. When he decided not to go on the date, Lee went in his place.
The rest is history. Lee and Betty were married on June 25, 1944 in Royston, England. Lee was discharged from the
military in September 1945. Betty joined him in the United States a year later. Three children were born to this union:
Carol Annette (died at birth), Dixie Lee and Betsy May. Shortly after the birth of her second child, Betty became a
Naturalized Citizen of the United States on April 20, 1950. She was very proud of this accomplishment and probably knew
more bout American History than most people who were born and raised here since she studied for many days and nights
in order to pass the test on her first attempt. It was a big adjustment for Betty to move from outside of London to Leedey,
Oklahoma. However, over the years she got used to farm life and even learned to drive a pickup load of wheat to the
elevator. Tractor driving was another skill she attained. Her hobbies included flower gardening, doing embroidery work, knitting
and reading. Her beautiful handwork received blue ribbons at the county fair. She attributed her ability to do perfect handwork
to training proved by her Aunt Ivy. Betty was very involved in her community. She served on the Western Plains Library Board,
was instrumental in the establishment of the Leedey Senior Citizen, and worked closely with United Methodist Women. She
was most proud of her work with the Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development Program. She served many years as a 4-H volunteer
and chauffeured numerous young people all over western Oklahoma. She was named Roger Mills County 4-H Volunteer of the
Year. She resigned from being a 4-H club leader at the age of 84. Betty was precede in death by her parents, Fred and Annie
Shurey; her husband, Lee Lorn Clem; her infant daughter, Carol Annette Clem; her grandson, Adam Wade Ferrell; her sister,
Dorothy Joan Patricia (Shurey) Capps; her brother, Peter James Shurey and her nephew, Mike Capps. Those left to cherish her
memory are her daughters Betsy(Clem) James and Dixie (Clem) Ferrell along with her husband Eldon Ferrell of Leedey, Oklahoma.
Betty’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Shannon Ferrell, his wife Cara and son Shawn of Mulhall, Oklahoma; Nathan Ferrell,
his wife Heather and son Ellis of Midland, Texas; Annie (James) Chaddick, her husband Chris and son Carter of Anna, Texas; LeeAnn
(James) Wright, her husband Dalton and sons Roper, Grady, and Kashion of Chelsea, Oklahoma. She has nieces, nephews and many friends
who also miss her. Memorials may be made to the Leedey Ambulance or the Leedey First United Methodist Church in care of Shaw Funeral
Home (P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859). Graveside services were held Tuesday October 31, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Shirley Cemetery, Leedey,
Oklahoma. Memorial services were held Tuesday October 31, 2017 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, Leedey, Oklahoma.
Cheyenne Star, November 2, 2017