Centenarians of Oklahoma

06/19/2026

Betty Lawson of Tulsa celebrated her 100th birthday today with lots of family! She graduated from Tulsa's Central High School. Betty and her husband James were married for 75 years. She has three children, five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Betty is a former member of Will Rogers United Methodist Church. She has had a lifelong love of journaling and wrote the family holiday newsletter each year. Her words of wisdom for us today are: Hold Firm to Your Faith and Beliefs and Always Practice Patience, Love and Acceptance. We welcome Betty to our Hall of Fame!

06/18/2026

Arvella Mote turned 101 on March 5th, 2026. I had the privilege of honoring her June 17th 2026 at the Oklahoma Disabled American Veterans State convention.
Arvella had a career as an Optical Shop Manager before she retired She belonged to the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and also volunteered many years for them. Arvella received the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Trophy in 2025 and the AmeriCorps Lifetime Achievement Award. She has traveled with her son to the National Convention of the Disabled American Veterans.
Recalling more than a century of life she has seen many changes from the Great Depression, World War II, the fight for women's rights and many more wars. She has seen remarkable evolution in radio, television, movies, and the internet.
We are honored to welcome Arvella Mote into the Centenarians of Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

06/18/2026

Thomasina Plott of Bethany turned 100 years old today! She graduated in 1944 from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa. Thomasina and Barnie Plott were married for almost 45 years. They traveled to 49 of the 50 US states, several foreign countries, and went on cruises. Thomasina has walked on the Great Wall of China, been to the Taj Mahal, and gone up the Khyber Pass in Pakistan. She has these words of wisdom for us today: I hope that each one does as well as they can. Welcome Thomasina to our Hall of Fame!

06/16/2026

Ike's Chili is another Honorary Centenarian of Oklahoma! They are officially 100 years old and counting and have become a well-known family restaurant in the state. The fresh made chili and variety of dishes are exceptional! Visit them while you are traveling on Route 66!

06/15/2026

🎉 Welcome Mildred “Millie” Sullens of El Reno to the Centenarians of Oklahoma Hall of Fame! 🎉 Born on June 15, 1926, in Geary, Oklahoma, Millie has spent a century living a life filled with faith, service, adventure, and determination. A retired Oklahoma Natural Gas employee, devoted church member, volunteer, world traveler, and water skiing enthusiast, she continues to inspire everyone around her.

Millie celebrated her 100th birthday in style at a country dance in Yukon. From 6:00 to 8:30 that evening, she was on her feet greeting guests and dancing the night away. Firefighters even brought in her birthday cake topped with 100 candles! Her energy, health, and enthusiasm were truly remarkable and a wonderful testament to a life well lived. Still sharing her wisdom today, Millie encourages others to “Learn work ethics. Respect others, listen, and learn.” Please join us in congratulating and warmly welcoming Millie to the Centenarians of Oklahoma Hall of Fame! ❤️🎂

06/13/2026

Bill Morris of Tulsa turned 100 today! His family traveled from near and far to be there for the celebration. Bill is a veteran of the US Navy and the US Army, serving in World War II and Korea. Bill is a graduate of OSU where he met his lovely wife Faye while she was performing in a pledge skit dancing the can can. He retired from Sun Oil and starting woodworking, building furniture, playing golf. His words of wisdom for us today are: Love the Lord and Go to Church, That'll Do It. Thank you for your service Bill and welcome to our Hall of Fame.

06/07/2026

Betty Simpson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 7, 1926. Her father was a farmer and her mother a seamstress. There were five daughters in the family, with Betty the last still living. Most women in Betty's family lived into their 90s, with her mother, Helen, living to the age of 103. Betty graduated from Union High School and the Joplin, Missouri Beauty College as a Beautician.

Betty married Roy Simpson on March 6, 1952. They were married for 49 years and raised two children -- Patty and Mike.

Betty's last career was working in an accounting office before retiring in the 1980s. She sang in church choirs, often as a soloist, and she helped with the church card ministry. Betty knitted hats for babies in the hospital NICU. She liked to travel and has been to many of our U.S. states, and to Germany, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand.

Happy Birthday, Betty, and welcome to our Hall of Fame!

06/07/2026

Ray Heemstra of Bartlesville was honored by the Centenarians of Oklahoma today. He served during World War II in the US Navy Air Corp. Ray's father is a former President of Northwestern College. Ray attended school there, later earning degrees from Hope College and the University of Iowa. He worked as a Physical Chemist before retiring in 2002. Ray volunteered at his church and taught Sunday School. His hobbies were model railroading, fishing, hiking, canoeing and camping. He caught a large-mouth bass on his 90th birthday. Easter is Ray's favorite holiday because its celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He Lives is Ray's favorite song. The best change in his 100 years is marrying his wife, Maxine, who passed away in 2023. We salute Ray and welcome him to our Hall of Fame.

06/07/2026

Short video of the six Centenarians that were in Tulsa’s Route 66 Parade on May 30, 2026.

Social View the Centenarians we have honored through our page. Click HERE to view our page. Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise Parade – May 30, 2026 Six Centenarians of Oklahoma participated in Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise Parade on May 30, 2026. Our videographer captured t....

06/06/2026

Carma Neta Morris of Bethany was 100 on June 4th and celebrated with family and friends. She was an OB-Gyn registered nurse in Seattle and was the El Reno School nurse for many years. Her volunteer work was with the Girl Scouts, Bell Choir, Band, Band Parents & Band Boosters, nurse training, Camp Fire Girls, private duty nursing, Sunday School, 4-H and Little League. Carma Neta played softball and loves OU Women's sports, especially softball. Her words of wisdom for us today are: Always have good friends; Laugh at Yourself; Love Your Kids. Welcome Carma Neta to our Hall of Fame.