Obituary for Beth Conway
Beth Lilly Conway went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 25, 2023 at age 94. Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 5. Graveside funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Beth was born at home in Oklahoma City on November 26, 1928. She was the youngest child born to Ervin and Eunice Lilly. Beth had an older brother, Gene, whom she adored, and a sister, Kay, eight years older, for whom Beth said, "always spoiled her." Always an avid reader, Beth graduated from Classen High School a year early and went off to Oklahoma A & M College in Stillwater (thanks to the generosity of Kay who paid for her tuition). While sitting in a Social Studies class, Beth caught the eye of a dark haired GI just home from the war and gave him a wink. Six months later, Beth and Russell Conway were married. Their marriage of 66 years was a blessing to all who knew them, especially their three children, Kent, Kevin and Kay Lynn.
Russell's career in education took them from Stillwater to Tulsa to Oklahoma City and back to Stillwater. While in Oklahoma City, Beth finished her bachelor's degree in education from Central State University and later her master's degree from Oklahoma State University. She taught fourth grade at Skyline and Sangre Ridge for most of her twenty-year teaching career. When asked her favorite thing about teaching, Beth said, "The kids. You never know what they are going to say."
Beth's gift of hospitality and cooking made her the perfect hostess for Russell's office parties, feeding hungry college kids, entertaining friends and relatives, and receiving delegates from Kameoka, Japan, Stillwater's Sister City. After retirement, when Beth wasn't visiting grandchildren or spending time in the mountains, she was volunteering at the snack bar at Stillwater Medical Center, handing out food alongside Russ at the food bank at Stillwater Church of Christ, teaching English as a second language to international students who came for classes at their church, attending OSU sporting events, spending time with friends, and feeding her many outdoor birds.
Beth was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, J.O. and Sadie Lilly; father, Ervin; brother, Gene; mother, Eunice; husband, Russell; and sister, Kay. Affectionately called Mom-o by her family, Beth is survived by her three children, Kent (and Cindy) Conway, Weatherford, Texas; Kevin (and Cheri) Conway, Germantown, Tennessee; and Kay Lynn (and Clint) Cain, Yukon, Oklahoma. Beth is also survived by nine grandchildren: Kannon (and Karey) Conway, Blake (and Loni) Conway, Karson (and Michelle) Conway, Kolby (and Andrew) Nordine, Chelsea Conway, Stephen Cain, Travis Cain, Aaron (and Rachel) Cain and Abby Cain as well as eleven great-grandchildren: Emmye, Wilson, Dylan, Charlie, Kale, Lilly, Kinley, Karissa, Maddux, Hunter, and Hayley. Beth was also a much-loved Aunt Beth to many nieces and nephews.
With a beautiful smile and gracious spirit, Beth encouraged others and expressed appreciation to all who were around her. The family would like to thank the staff at Golden Oaks Village for twelve years of extraordinary care, the Karmen Legacy Hospice helpers for inspiring end of life care, the staff at Westhaven for welcoming Beth during her short rehabilitation visit, as well as the sweet folks from Stillwater Church of Christ who wrote notes of encouragement throughout the years.
Beth was born at home in Oklahoma City on November 26, 1928. She was the youngest child born to Ervin and Eunice Lilly. Beth had an older brother, Gene, whom she adored, and a sister, Kay, eight years older, for whom Beth said, "always spoiled her." Always an avid reader, Beth graduated from Classen High School a year early and went off to Oklahoma A & M College in Stillwater (thanks to the generosity of Kay who paid for her tuition). While sitting in a Social Studies class, Beth caught the eye of a dark haired GI just home from the war and gave him a wink. Six months later, Beth and Russell Conway were married. Their marriage of 66 years was a blessing to all who knew them, especially their three children, Kent, Kevin and Kay Lynn.
Russell's career in education took them from Stillwater to Tulsa to Oklahoma City and back to Stillwater. While in Oklahoma City, Beth finished her bachelor's degree in education from Central State University and later her master's degree from Oklahoma State University. She taught fourth grade at Skyline and Sangre Ridge for most of her twenty-year teaching career. When asked her favorite thing about teaching, Beth said, "The kids. You never know what they are going to say."
Beth's gift of hospitality and cooking made her the perfect hostess for Russell's office parties, feeding hungry college kids, entertaining friends and relatives, and receiving delegates from Kameoka, Japan, Stillwater's Sister City. After retirement, when Beth wasn't visiting grandchildren or spending time in the mountains, she was volunteering at the snack bar at Stillwater Medical Center, handing out food alongside Russ at the food bank at Stillwater Church of Christ, teaching English as a second language to international students who came for classes at their church, attending OSU sporting events, spending time with friends, and feeding her many outdoor birds.
Beth was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, J.O. and Sadie Lilly; father, Ervin; brother, Gene; mother, Eunice; husband, Russell; and sister, Kay. Affectionately called Mom-o by her family, Beth is survived by her three children, Kent (and Cindy) Conway, Weatherford, Texas; Kevin (and Cheri) Conway, Germantown, Tennessee; and Kay Lynn (and Clint) Cain, Yukon, Oklahoma. Beth is also survived by nine grandchildren: Kannon (and Karey) Conway, Blake (and Loni) Conway, Karson (and Michelle) Conway, Kolby (and Andrew) Nordine, Chelsea Conway, Stephen Cain, Travis Cain, Aaron (and Rachel) Cain and Abby Cain as well as eleven great-grandchildren: Emmye, Wilson, Dylan, Charlie, Kale, Lilly, Kinley, Karissa, Maddux, Hunter, and Hayley. Beth was also a much-loved Aunt Beth to many nieces and nephews.
With a beautiful smile and gracious spirit, Beth encouraged others and expressed appreciation to all who were around her. The family would like to thank the staff at Golden Oaks Village for twelve years of extraordinary care, the Karmen Legacy Hospice helpers for inspiring end of life care, the staff at Westhaven for welcoming Beth during her short rehabilitation visit, as well as the sweet folks from Stillwater Church of Christ who wrote notes of encouragement throughout the years.