Betty "Jane" Button, died January 12, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 101 years. She had resided in Tulsa since moving here in 2007. Jane was born December 17, 1922, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Her parents were Fred J. and Christine Jesperson Cannon. She worshiped at First United Methodist Church, and graduated from Fort Smith Northside High School in the Class of 1940. Following graduation, she worked at Camp Chafee until the Fall of 1944 when she moved to New York City to pursue a career in modeling. While there she worked for the Harry Conover Agency, was featured in Life Magazine as a Pond's Cold Cream model, and lived at the Barbizon Hotel for Women.
She married Major Herman W. Smith, Jr. from Parsons, Kansas on March 23, 1946. They made their home in Parsons, Kansas. In later years they moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, Wichita, Kansas, and Grove, Oklahoma. They had three children; Cristi, Kent, and Sandy.
Following the death of her first husband, she moved back to Wichita and married Dwight Button. Mr. Button had three sons; Gary, Steve, and Tom. They made their home in Wichita until his passing in 2001.
Jane was a member of P.E.O., an avid reader and an accomplished artist; actively painting until the time of her death.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Fred J. and Christine Jesperson Cannon, both spouses Herman W. Smith, Jr. and A. Dwight Button, and step-son Tom Button.
She is survived by her children Cristi L. (William) Wilson, Kent H. (Cherie) Smith, and Sandra S. Smith. She is also survived by two step-sons, Gary (Valerie) Button and Steve (Connie Lee) Button, and a daughter-in-law Yolanda Button. Grandchildren include Robert L. (Megan) Wright, III, Ryan C. (Troy) Wright-Spain, Kelly James (Chassidy) Smith, James M. Harper, III, Kelli E. (Jeremy) Brown, Edward A. (Sita Siutz) Button, Jason D. (Lindsay) Button, and Alex (Ayana) Button.
Great-grandchildren include Robert L. Wright, IV, Michael T. Wright, Lyra L. Spain, Maya M. Spain, Jaylyn L Smith, Jordan D. Cunningham, Zachary J. Brown, Chloe E. Brown, Aaron T. Siutz, Emily Z. Siutz, Tristan (Julie) Button, Meredith Button, Audrey Button, and Lucy Button.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, February 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM. It will be held at Montereau; 6800 South Granite Ave., Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Humane Society of Tulsa. Please use the link below if you wish to make a donation in Jane's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8275757&fr_id=154020&pg=personal©_link_share < https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__fundraising.stjude.org_site_TR-3Fpx-3D8275757-26fr-5Fid-3D154020-26pg-3Dpersonal-26copy-5Flink-5Fshare&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=T8WRMFRurrgv-D5z3mEdL6TitFew73OuwFPBSgMBqQo&m=oeXkY2bZJi2NcZCQnAGBROaJ4d2aeYC7DH-khwYEz6XH0YDMMsjsFcaNDgInQ0Cr&s=ur9ZgSsUR81ZwaJe6PeR1y8qqEtEvDJSLR9wslBWo0Y&e= >