Betty Zane Gould

Betty Zane Gould, age 69, of Weatherford, Oklahoma, was born November 26, 1956, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Jay Gould and Belva (Naranjo) Hicks, and passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Betty spent her childhood living in several different places. She attended elementary school in Lakeside, Colorado, before moving to Weatherford, where she attended junior high school. She later attended Fort Sill Indian School, where she graduated from high school. Betty had a strong desire for education and continued her studies at Rose State College before attending the University of Central Oklahoma, where she earned her master's degree in Political Science in 1986. Betty was an exceptionally intelligent woman who valued education, knowledge, and the opportunities they could provide.

Following her education, Betty worked for a short time with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Oklahoma City before beginning what would become a distinguished career of more than 30 years with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Much of her career was spent working in Washington, D.C., and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Through her dedication and years of service, Betty built a career she could be proud of, eventually retiring in 2017.

Outside of her professional life, Betty was a woman who truly enjoyed living life to the fullest. She loved traveling and especially enjoyed taking her family on trips, creating memories and experiences they would cherish for years to come. She had a great love for rock and roll music and enjoyed sharing that passion with those around her.

Betty also had a wonderful sense of style. She always wanted to look her best, and she made sure her family did, too. She loved keeping up with the latest fashions and making certain her loved ones were dressed just as stylishly as she was. Looking good was important to Betty, but making sure her family was taken care of meant even more.

Above all else, Betty was devoted to her family. She was a generous and giving person who was always doing something for someone else. Whether it was helping a loved one, planning a family trip, or simply spending time with her children and grandchildren, Betty found her greatest happiness in being surrounded by those she loved. She had a giving heart and was always thinking of others, often putting their needs before her own.

Betty will be remembered for her intelligence, her dedication to her career, her love of music and travel, her fashionable style, and most importantly, the tremendous love she had for her family. Her kindness, generosity, and the many wonderful memories she created will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay Gould and Belva Hicks; her brothers, William Gould, George Gould, John Gould, and Melvin Zwartz; her infant sister, Sandra Gould; her infant brother, Douglas Gould; her niece, Jody Sankadota; her granddaughter, Kyra Zane Marie Rutledge; and her foster father, Melton Cotrell.

Betty is survived by her sons, Sean Hamilton and Jemerson Gould, both of Weatherford; her sisters, Lula Sankadota, Debrah Gould, and Lynn Littlehawk, all of Weatherford, and Glenda Cotrell and Michelle Kuntz, both of Denver, Colorado; her foster mother, Betty Cottrell; her brothers, Anthony Gould and Michael Gould, both of Clinton, Clifford RomanNose of Hammon, and Allen Cottrell and Will Cottrell, both of Denver, Colorado.

She is also survived by numerous beloved grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and former coworkers who will forever cherish her memory.

An all-night wake service for Betty will begin at 7:00 PM, Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10371 North 2370 Road in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Clinton ERC Building in Clinton, Oklahoma. Burial will follow in the Colony Indian Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Lee Hometown Funeral Home of Clinton, Oklahoma.