Betty A. Woodward

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less-traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Born on January 15 1932, Betty Shaw took that less-traveled road from Russellville, KY to Virginia Intermont College, then a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Kentucky and to the wedding altar to marry the love of her life, Dr. James D Woodward on August 13, 1955. Sadly, James “Jim” Woodward died far too early in 1991. Together Betty and Jim ministered in marriage as well as in music. Betty was a professional music educator serving on the faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University from 1966 until her retirement in 1994. In this capacity she shaped, influenced and mentored the professional lives of hundreds of music educators and worship leaders around the world. In addition Betty was a nationally respected Children’s Choir conductor, clinician and author. She was also deeply involved in ministering at First Baptist Church of Shawnee, OK. Her professionalism was validated many times over with several music education honors, including the 1989 OCDA Director of Distinction, recognition as a Kentucky Colonel in 1986, induction into the Oklahoma Music Educator’s Hall of Fame in 2003, the Lifetime Ministry Award from the Baptist Church Music Conference in 2009, and the Celebrating Excellence award from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma in 2012. Despite her professional accomplishments, Betty regarded her family as her most precious asset and would take every opportunity to spend time with them. She is survived by son James D. Woodward, Jr. and his wife Teresa of Oklahoma City, and daughter Dr. Julia A. Haley and her husband Steven of Stillwater. But her true pride was her grand daughter Elizabeth Broyles of Boston, MA. In addition to her family she thrived on the love and contact of hundreds of people whom she called friends. Betty would never be caught without a word of encouragement, a compliment, a gift, or a wish for the well being of others. She was usually found having her hands in the dirt arranging a new flowerbed, reading a book on the deck in the morning while enjoying the warm Oklahoma breeze, or simply enjoying the passing of time with her family and many life-long friends. That less traveled road ended with the Peace that Passes All Understanding on the morning of Sunday, August 23, 2015 embraced by the touch and voice of her family. A celebration of Betty’s life will be at 2 PM on September 12, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Shawnee, OK. In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to Companion Hospice or the American Cancer Society.