Bettye Roberta Ryan was born August 25, 1949 in Norman, Oklahoma, to Dr. Robert O. and Ora Ryan. She passed away at her home in rural Norman on March 1, 2013 after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

She was born at Norman Municipal Hospital, youngest of three. She had two older brothers, David and Bill. Bettye graduated from Norman High School in 1967. Soon after graduation she married and had three sons and raised them in Norman. After her sons were married, she moved to Wayne, Okla., where she founded Clay Bank Ranch. She was an officer of many Kiger Mustang organizations. After 12 years in Wayne, she resettled back in rural Norman.

(Information contributed by John Ross on 7/18/17)