Norman, OK - Bettie Estes-Rickner was born August 25, 1947 in Ada, OK, to Silas and Pat (Mitchell) Taylor, and passed away June 22, 2026 in Oklahoma City, OK.

She grew up in the Lovelady Community east of Ada and by one year, missed attending a one-room school at Lovelady, following a consolidation. She narrowly missed being a K-12 graduate of Byng High School, having attended first grade at Homer School. She graduated from Byng in 1965. Her junior high and high school years were consumed by basketball, having played for legendary coach Bertha Frank Teague for six years and playing on Mrs. Teague's last undefeated team in '65. In that game, Bettie set a new state scoring record of 49 points, which stood for many years. She was too old to have played collegiate basketball but did have offers to play for the Wayland (TX) Flying Queens and pro teams like The All-American Red Heads and LOOK Magazine. Instead, she attended college on the pay-as-you-go plan, having to stop twice and work to save money for tuition. She attended East Central State College in her hometown of Ada and was then in the first graduating class of Central State "University" in 1971, receiving a BS in Elementary Education.

Bettie came to Yukon in 1970 as a newlywed. Her husband Leroy Estes had just been hired to begin the process of rebuilding the boys' basketball program at Yukon High School and Bettie was a vital part of it. She could be seen at the scorer's table every game, not only keeping score, but providing important information throughout the game. Additionally, many strategizing sessions occurred at home and much suffering through the first two years of rebuilding. But eventually success happened with state championships in 1974 and 1979 in Yukon, and while coaching at Deer Creek in 1970.

Bettie's first teaching job was in Yukon's Shedeck Elementary but after two years the birth of daughter Trisha made her a full-time mom for six years. At that point she began graduate school at the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1981 with a Master's Degree in Library Science. Bettie was hired back in Yukon as the district's first certified library media specialist that year and was instrumental in eventually hiring certified library staff in all of Yukon's elementary schools. Bettie subsequently began a long career in the development of school libraries, having worked in Yukon at Shedeck, Parkland and Myers Elementary Schools. Along the way she worked eight years for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, eventually as Director of the Library Media Section. During this period of time, she also earned certifications as Elementary Principal and School Superintendent. Bettie was a proud and patriotic American and loved the two years she taught social studies to 6th graders in Yukon. Throughout her life she read books that dealt with geography, history, and biography, not neglecting her favorite, historical fiction and mysteries, along with best sellers and current events. She was an avid consumer of what was happening in the world and rarely missed local and national news on TV every night with her husband.

In 1989 Bettie married Bert Rickner, whom she said she married because he was 6'7" tall, being 6' herself. They were married for 34 years. To this marriage Bert brought two well-over-six-foot sons, who along with Trisha rounded out a very tall family.

Bettie's professional profile was extensive, bringing the same laser focus to education, access to libraries and availability of instructional materials, as she did to basketball as a high school student. She established lasting relationships while traveling throughout the state to develop and improve libraries and served as a mentor to many that extended well past her retirement.

From the beginning of her educational career Bettie was involved in organizations related to education, leadership, technology, and libraries. Her accomplishments were many, including serving as Councilor for the American Library Association, Chair of the Count on Reading Task Force, Chair of the Program Committee of the 10th Annual Conference of the American Association of School Libraries and Director of the State Department of Education's annual Encyclo-Media Conference.

Recognition came easily and often to Bettie. She was honored as Canadian County's Teacher of the Year in 1982, Chair of the Oklahoma Delegation to the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1991, and Oklahoma's Outstanding Director of Technology in 2009. She was also selected as one of 100 Oklahoma Library Legends as a part of the Oklahoma Library Association's celebration of its, and the State's centennial in 2007.

Bettie has been a member of the Lakehoma Church of Christ since 1995 where she taught Sunday School Classes for three-and-four-year-old children. One of her greatest joys was to watch them grow to be strong Christians and leaders in the church.

After living in the Yukon and Mustang areas for many years, Bert and Bettie moved to Norman in 2022. Bert's health was failing, and he was determined to get Bettie moved closer to Trisha and her family. They moved into their new home in September 2022, three months before Bert's death in December. Bettie enjoyed working in the Sage Cobblestone library, planning activities, and leading book discussion groups. Her teacher and librarian heart never went away!

Bettie missed Bert terribly, but in the fall of 2025, she was able to bring home her new little family member, Katie the dog. Bettie and Katie didn't have but a few months together, but the joy Bettie found in this tiny little furball was great.

Bettie was preceded in death by her spouses, Leroy Estes of Yukon, OK, in 1982, and Bert Rickner of Norman, OK, in 2022. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Si Taylor and Pat Taylor of Ada, OK; her paternal grandparents, Joe Parks and Bettie Taylor Parks of Ada, OK; her maternal grandmother, Linnie Mitchell Bailey of Grove, OK; and her sister, Suzie Moore of Sulphur, OK.

She is survived by her daughter, Trisha Joy Hutcherson, and her husband, Eric Hutcherson, of Norman, OK; her stepson, Dr. Kyle Rickner, and his wife, Julie Rickner, of Oklahoma City, OK; and her stepson, Chad Rickner, and his wife, Megan Rickner, of Coupeville, WA. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Makenna Schultz and her husband, Austin Schultz, of Edmond, OK; Mitchell Rickner and his wife, Kayla Rickner, of Florida; Maya Rickner, Amani Rickner, and Tyren Rickner of Edmond, OK; Matthew Rickner of Boulder, CO; and Adam Hutcherson of Norman, OK. Her legacy continues through her four great-grandchildren: Nora Schultz, Harper Schultz, and Charlie Schultz of Edmond, OK, and Carter Rickner of Oklahoma City, OK. She is further survived by her brother, Dr. Charles Taylor, and his wife, Susan Taylor, of Jenks, OK, as well as four nieces, one nephew, and three great nieces.

In addition to her professional career and her dedication to the activities of her children and grandchildren, Bettie was deeply committed to her community and church. Although her work required frequent travel throughout Oklahoma and other states, she made every effort to return home whenever possible to be present for family events and milestones.

Bettie also supported numerous charitable organizations and causes that were important to her throughout her life. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Christian Chronicle, Christian Chronicle; In Search of the Lord's Way, In Search of the Lord's Way; Oklahoma City OK Kids Korral, OK Kids Korral; Shriners Children's, Shriners Children's; or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA.

Viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Yanda & Son Funeral Home, Yukon, OK. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, at Westside Church of Christ, Norman, OK, with interment following at 2:00 p.m., at the Yukon Cemetery, Yukon, OK.

Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.