Betty Ion (Fowler) Soward

It is with great sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of our mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother. Betty Ione (Fowler) Soward was called home to be with our Lord and Savior and those that we have loved and lost, on June 27th, 2025, at the age of 96 years old.

She was born to Leamon and Ruby (Sweeney) Fowler on May 17th, 1929. Betty was a woman of many talents, along with taking care of her family, she was a waitress, manager, bartender and she worked for FoxFalete Drug Company in downtown Oklahoma City. Betty had a fierce spirit and a tender heart. She lived a life full of laughter, love and unwavering strength.

It was while Betty was waitressing that she met the love of her life. Eddie had come into the diner where she was working. He sat in her section a couple of times. One day he came in to eat breakfast and he left her a penny tip. Well, if you knew Nanny, you know that a penny tip did not go over very well with her. Eddie came back the next day and waited to sit in her section. She came over to his table and flipped the penny into a cup and said to him, “Obviously you need this more than I do.” He grabbed her hand and gave her a dollar and told her he wanted to take her out. He explained that he did not have any change for her tip the day before. The rest is history! She married the love of her life on November 8, 1952, with whom she built a life of love, devotion, and joy. Together they raised five children, creating a home filled with laughter, warmth, and endless memories. Little did she know this was the beginning of a large sprawling family, something that gave her much joy in life.

Nanny spent 96 years spreading love, joy, sarcasm and sass to everyone around her. She loved doing word searches and playing marbles. She was a fierce competitor and did not like to lose. She definitely passed her competitive spirit down to all of us. Those of us who were blessed to be touched by her understand that her very existence, along with the imprints she left in our hearts, far exceeds the time that we had her here on earth.

She is preceded in death by her husband Eddie, her dad Leamon and mom Ruby, one brother Leamon Jr., a daughter Ruby, son Edwin, grandson Larry and great grandson Trevin. She is survived by her sister Billie White of Meeker, a sister Mary Mount of Oklahoma City, daughter Janice and husband Roy of Oklahoma City, daughter Deborah Morris of Moore and son Ferris Soward of Midwest City, numerous nieces and nephews, 16 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 32 great, great grandchildren and another one on the way.

When we think about what kind of mother and grandmother Betty was, we think of warm hugs and sweet memories. She was that person that always remembered your accomplishments and would forget all your mistakes. She was the cornerstone of the family, the nurturing force that holds generations together, offered wisdom, love, and guidance and with her passing leaves a deep irreplaceable void. Nanny was the foundation of our family, providing us with strength, love and comfort to all who knew her.

We will miss you dearly Nanny, but we are comforted knowing that your love and legacy will live on in all of us. Our memory of you will continue to inspire us to live with kindness, generosity and purpose, just as you did. May your soul rest in peace, knowing that the world is forever changed for the better, because of your love and dedication.