Betty Jo Cook, age 91, a longtime resident of Oakdale, California, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, at Hospice House in Hughson, California.

She was born on December 25, 1934, in Oklahoma to Lena and Nathan Avant. She was a graduate of Oakdale High Class of 1953.

Betty was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Cleo Cook, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rhonda Sue; her grandson, Rodney; and her brother, James, and sisters, Lois and Ruby.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah; her grandchildren, Wendi, Andy, Danny (Callie), and Kristy; her treasured great-grandchildren, Conrad, Magnus and Florence; her brothers, Gary and Leroy; and her sister, Emma Lou, along with many beloved nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Betty was the heart and center of her family. She was known for her steady presence, unconditional love, and her gift for bringing everyone together. Her home was a place of comfort, warmth, and belonging. Family was her greatest pride and her life’s most meaningful accomplishment. Whether you knew her as a sister, mother, grandma, or Aunt Betty, you were always welcome in her home and there would always be a plate of food, and of course, dessert.

Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and loved so deeply. She will be remembered always for her strength, her kindness, and the enduring love she gave so freely.

A graveside service and burial will be held at 10 a.m. on February 27, 2026, at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, California.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News

Feb. 18, 2026