Betty Berry Kerns died after a short illness at her Stillwater residence on July 16, 2018. Her husband Bob, her beloved dog Jakey and her family were by her side.

Betty was born on April 25, 1944, the oldest of Frank and Joyce Berry's three children. A graduate of Lindenwood College for Women in St. Charles, Missouri with a degree in psychology, she was married for 34 years to Robert Kerns, long-time owner of Kerns Construction in Stillwater.

Betty inherited her love of politics from her grandfather, the late Lieutenant Governor James E. Berry. At the age of seven, she experienced the thrill that comes from being part of a campaign, when she was allowed to distribute political literature. It was the beginning of a life-long love affair with the political process. She was active in party affairs on the federal, state, and local levels for over 25 years and served in numerous capacities within the Democratic Party organization. Working behind the scenes was her forte'. Those who worked with Betty knew her politics were more than a game. Always the passionate fighter for the cases she believed in, she was an unrelenting force with which to be reckoned.

Her love of politics complimented a life in public service as well. As the owner of Betty Kerns & Associates, she used her skills to represent the needs of many Oklahoma interests and associations. She believed in serving her state and community through active participation in the decision-making process that moved the state forward, and always encouraged others to step up and do the same.

As such, Betty spent countless hours serving on many state boards and commissions. She accepted Governor Brad Henry's nomination to serve on the Grand River Dam Authority, where she became the Authority's first woman Chairperson. She served as Chairperson of the Board of Managers of Comp Source Oklahoma (formally the State Insurance Fund) where she again rose to being the first woman Chairperson. Betty was also Vice Chairman of the Professional Responsibility Commission of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Her ties to her hometown were strong. Betty was a member of the Board of Directors of Southwest Bancorp and Stillwater National Bank, as well the Stillwater Medical Center Authority Board of Trustees; President of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Sheltered Workshop of Payne County; a member of the Payne County CASA Association Board; and on both the Saville Center in Stillwater and the Board of Directors for Stillwater's Judith Karman Hospice. A strong supporter of Oklahoma State University, Betty was an active member and valued asset of the OSU Friends of Music Board of Directors.

She was smart, meticulous and willing to fight for what she believed in. People who knew Betty saw her in different ways. Whether it was as a friend, a lobbyist, an activist, a shrewd businesswoman, or a fabulous homemaker, everyone talked of her huge character. Everyone who knew Betty, worked alongside her, or worked in opposition to her knew she had a brilliant mind and a fearless soul. Betty's friends and allies referred to her as the "Dragon Lady", the diminutive woman with the courage to take on the establishment without hesitation.

Her friends also knew her as a great cook who loved to entertain.

Betty and Bob lived a full life, commuting between their homes in Stillwater and Crested Butte, Colorado with all of their beloved dogs by their side. She leaves behind a devoted husband and family who have shared what she once described as "the best life ever." The world will be a little less sassy and far less interesting without her.

Betty is survived by her husband, Bob, of the home; sister, Randy Berry Parrish; brother, Joe Berry; niece, Amy Wilsey Miller (Mark) and children, Chloe and Morgan; grandson, Captain Ryan Kerns (Laura) and children, Ethan and Caleb.

Betty's life will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's name to the Stillwater Humane Society, 1710 S. Main Street, Stillwater, OK, 74074; Wings of Hope, 3800 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075; or a charity of your choice.